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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) offices in Washington, US.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has announced that it will begin to investigate how corruption is sapping Kenya’s public finances from early next year.

Speaking during a visit to Kenya, where he met senior government officials, including President William Ruto, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, and Central Bank Governor Kamau Thugge, IMF Deputy Managing Director Nigel Clarke stated that the Fund would send a team to carry out what he described as a “governance diagnostic.” 

Clarke said the mission team will engage a diverse range of stakeholders to identify governance shortcomings within Ruto’s administration and suggest possible improvements.

“It will allow a road map to emerge, a road map of reforms that can be incorporated over time with a view of improving governance outcomes in Kenya,” the IMF Managing Director noted.

He reiterated that the IMF viewed governance issues as being of great significance adding that if such are not taken care of they could have profound effects on the country’s macroeconomic outcomes.

While responding to criticism over the IMF’s engagement with Kenya, Clarke distanced the Fund’s involvement in the country's rigorous tax regime saying the IMF’s role was only to offer advice for the government to make informed decisions. 

“Specific revenue measures are not the design of the IMF, the specific revenue choices made are totally within the purview of the Kenyan government. The IMF is not involved in making specific decisions to specific taxes,” Clarke said.

On October 3, the government wrote to the IMF requesting an assessment of corruption and governance issues. While addressing the press, IMF Spokesperson Julies Kozac said the Fund had received a formal request from Ruto's administration for a 'governance diagnostic.'

"The government of Kenya aims to strengthen its governance and anti-corruption policies. They intend to utilize these diagnostics to enhance public spending efficiency, boost competitiveness, foster growth, and inclusively reduce poverty," Kozac said in a presser.

President Ruto’s administration has in recent years faced criticism for failing to deal with corruption. In 2024, Kenya was ranked 126 out of 180 in Transparency International’s Global Corruption Perceptions Index. 

In June, Kenyans took to the streets to protest the government's decision to introduce a raft of tax measures that would raise the prices of essential commodities including the price of bread and milk.

While demonstrating, Kenyans accused government officials including Members of Parliament who they faulted for engaging in corruption that led to wastage of public funds. by Timothy Cerullo, Kenyans.co.ke

Besigye and Kamulegeya in the dock
 
Rtd Col Dr Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Obeid Lutaale Kamulegeya have been further remanded Luzira prison until January 7, 2025, by the General Court Martial.
 
The two were abducted from Kenya by Ugandan army personnel and face charges of unlawful possession of ammunition and firearms. Before their remand, their legal team, led by Erias Lukwago and Eron Kiiza raised several concerns, including the arrest of one of their colleagues, Rtd Maj Ronald Iduli, the lack of sufficient seating for the lawyers, and the denial of a practising certificate to Martha Karua, who was set to be the lead counsel.

Lukwago informed the court that the defense team was not fully constituted due to these issues and, as a result, they were unable to proceed. He also introduced three visiting jurists; Margaret Nangacovie from Angola, Gicheru Kimei from Kenya, and Martha Karua, also from Kenya.

Lukwago noted that many of Besigye's lawyers were forced to stand due to the lack of seating arrangements. He also expressed concern that the windows of the court hall were not opened, which he argued hindered a comfortable working environment. Additionally, Lukwago noted that Karua, who had been appointed as the lead counsel, was denied a practising certificate by the Uganda Law Council.
 
He stated that they had filed objections to the decision, questioning whether certificates were only granted to foreign lawyers in civil matters and arguing that Karua's East African passport should facilitate her practice. Judge advocate, Brigadier Richard Tukacungurwa, interrupted Lukwago's submission, asserting that the court had already addressed the issue of Karua’s certificate and that she would not be allowed to serve as the lead counsel. He added that Lukwago should instead lead the defense team.

Kiiza also raised the issue of Maj Iduli's abduction this morning, emphasizing that the team's inability to proceed was exacerbated by the absence of one of their key members. He expressed concerns that the legal team and their clients were being subjected to intimidation and threats, especially since the defense lawyers were left standing.

During the session, the defense lawyers expressed frustration with the treatment they received at the court. Nalukoola Luyimbazi, another member of the defense team, spoke about the challenging conditions they faced and criticized the treatment of both the lawyers and their clients. Luyimbazi suggested that the court should emulate other courts in the region to improve the conditions.

In response, Brig Robert Freeman Mugabe explained that the seating arrangements were based on the number of lawyers who had submitted their instructions. Kiiza, however, insisted that the accused had the right to choose their legal representation and that this right should not be compromised. As the session continued, the judge advocate emphasized that lawyers must file their instructions with the registrar and abide by the court’s rules. 

He also warned that failure to follow protocol could result in contempt of court. Lukwago raised concerns about the independence of the court and sought clarification from the Court Martial chairperson on who was in charge. Mugabe suggested that the legal team could exert pressure on the authorities to produce Maj Iduli or use other means to resolve the issue. 

Army prosecutor Lt Col Raphael Mugisha questioned Kiiza's conduct during a previous session, implying that Kiiza had been unprofessional by engaging in physical exercises outside the courtroom before the hearing. Kiiza, however, responded by indicating that he would write to the chief of defense forces (CDF) to demand the names of those responsible for the abduction of Besigye. 

Roland Tugume, a lawyer, applied to join as amicus curiae (friend of the court), citing concerns over the conduct of the judge advocate and the treatment of the accused. However, Besigye’s lawyers expressed their displeasure with the idea of accepting a ruling on this application, as they did not have instructions to receive it. 

At the end of the session, the defense lawyers briefed journalists outside the courtroom, but their address was disrupted by a vehicle with a siren, making it difficult for the media to hear their statements. On Monday, Karua was denied a certificate by the Uganda Law Council, citing several reasons, including her previous confrontations with the chief justice and her involvement in the case as a potential witness. 

The Law Council also questioned whether she was bringing any special legal skills to the country. Besigye and three other human rights defenders, including lawyers Andrew Karamagi, Anthony Odur, and Godwin Toko, have since challenged the trial in the East African Court of Justice, seeking compensation of $100,000 (over Shs 360 million) for what they describe as an illegal arrest from Kenya and subsequent trial. 

This is not the first time Besigye has appeared before the Court Martial. In 2006, he was charged with treason, rape, and concealment of treason, though the charges were later dismissed. Besigye has repeatedly accused the state of political persecution rather than legitimate prosecution, as he has faced numerous charges in various courts without any conviction. By URN / The Observer

Oslo (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Terumi Tanaka, 92, a survivor of the Nagasaki atomic bomb and a founder of Nihon Hidankyo, the association of victims of the atomic bombs dropped by the United States on Japan, spoke at the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony today, in the Norwegian capital of Oslo.

From this venue, on behalf of the 30-member delegation, including 17 direct witnesses of that tragedy who came from Hiroshima and Nagasaki to collect the prize awarded to the association, he issued an appeal: “[W]e must not allow the possession of a single nuclear weapon.”

Tanaka, who was 13 years old on 9 August 1945, saw with his own eyes the death and devastation from that type of weapon. He described what he went through that day: the great glow, the wave of the explosion, the torched houses, Urakami cathedral ("the largest red-brick church in the East") razed to the ground, the agony of seeing the bodies of two aunts and their families who lived 400 metres from the hypocentre.

“The deaths I witnessed at that time could hardly be described as human deaths,” he explained. “There were hundreds of people suffering in agony, unable to receive any kind of medical attention. I strongly felt that even in war, such killing and maiming must never be allowed to happen.”

His testimony at the Nobel ceremony is not just a story from 80 years ago, but is also relevant for today's news. “[T]here still remain 12,000 nuclear warheads on the Earth today, 4,000 of which are operationally deployed, ready for immediate launch,” he noted.

One “nuclear superpower, Russia, threatens to use nuclear weapons in its war against Ukraine, and a cabinet member of Israel, in the midst of its unrelenting attacks on Gaza in Palestine, even spoke of the possible use of nuclear arms. In addition to the civilian casualties, I am infinitely saddened and angered that the ‘nuclear taboo’ threatens to be broken.”

Terumi Tanaka mentioned the joy with which the Hibakusha – the survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki who were relegated to silence for far too long – welcomed the approval at the UN of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, adopted with the support of 122 countries.

“It is the heartfelt desire of the Hibakusha that, rather than depending on the theory of nuclear deterrence, which assumes the possession and use of nuclear weapons, we must not allow the possession of a single nuclear weapon.

“Please try to imagine — there are 4,000 nuclear warheads, ready to be launched immediately. This means that damage hundreds or thousands of times greater than that which happened in Hiroshima and Nagasaki could happen right away,” he explained.

“Any one of you could become either a victim or a perpetrator, at any time. I therefore plead for everyone around the world to discuss together what we must do to eliminate nuclear weapons, and demand action from governments to achieve this goal.”

As the representative of Nihon Hidankyo, he reminded his audience that the average age of survivors of the atomic bombs of Hiroshima and Nagasaki is now 85 years.

“Ten years from now, there may only be a handful of us able to give testimony as firsthand survivors. From now on, I hope that the next generation will find ways to build on our efforts and develop the movement even further.”

This is orientation of No More Hibakusha Project-Inheriting Memories of the A and H-Bomb Sufferers, a digital archive initiative that is collecting the testimonies of those who are still alive.

“I urge everyone around the world to create opportunities in your own countries to listen to the testimonies of A-bomb survivors, and to feel, with deep sensitivity, the true inhumanity of nuclear weapons.

“Particularly, I hope that the belief that nuclear weapons cannot — and must not — coexist with humanity will take firm hold among citizens of the nuclear weapon states and their allies, and that this will become a force for change in the nuclear policies of their governments.

“Let not humanity destroy itself with nuclear weapons!

“Let us work together for a human society, in a world free of nuclear weapons and of wars!”  Prime Asia News

GENEVA

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) on Tuesday expressed alarm at the recent surge of people fleeing fresh violence in Sudan and arriving in neighboring South Sudan.

UNHCR spokesperson Olga Sarrado said at a UN press conference that more than 20,000 Sudanese from border villages crossed into South Sudan last week – tripling daily arrivals compared to previous weeks.

“Since Saturday, there have been an additional estimated 7,000 – 10,000 new arrivals each day, including more South Sudanese refugees leaving the camps in White Nile State where they have been residing in Sudan,” she said.

“The majority of those displaced are women and children, underscoring the impact of the conflict on vulnerable populations.”

The UN official said all those fleeing need life-saving support, with water and health care the most urgent needs, especially given an ongoing cholera outbreak.

“The transit centers in Renk are already overcrowded, sheltering nearly 17,000 people – an increase of 4,000 from two weeks ago,” said Sarrado.

“Inside Sudan, hostilities around refugee camps and areas hosting displaced Sudanese pose grave and worrying risks to civilians, including refugees and displaced people,” she added.

Sarrado said continued violence threatens the ability of the Refugee Agency and its partners to deliver life-saving protection and assistance to refugees and displaced Sudanese.

The refugee agency said since the war in Sudan began in April 2023, more than 12 million people have been displaced.

More than 3 million have sought refuge in neighbouring countries, making this one of the world's largest and most pressing displacement crises. Anadolu Agency 

 

The government, through the Office of the Women’s Rights Advisor, is exploring mechanisms to set up a sustainable Gender-Based Violence (GBV) fund to address the growing concerns over skyrocketing cases in the country.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi announced that the fund would support government programs and campaigns to combat GBV and provide comprehensive care for survivors, as part of ongoing efforts to create a safer country for all.

Mudavadi made the remarks during the launch of the “Safe Homes Safe Spaces” initiative in Kakamega on Monday. The initiative underscores the urgent need for a collaborative, government-led campaign to spread awareness and encourage individuals and communities to adopt non-violent methods of conflict resolution.

“GBV is a major violation of women’s human rights, as well as a criminal and social problem. We are particularly alarmed by the recent spike in cases of violence against women, including intimate partner violence. This trend reflects a breakdown in our values and highlights glaring gender inequalities and discrimination against women and girls in our society,” Mudavadi stated.

 

Citing a recent UN Women report, Mudavadi noted that nearly one in three women globally experience violence in their lifetime, with Africa recording the highest number of femicide cases in 2022. The report further revealed that Africa had the largest absolute and relative numbers of female intimate partner and family-related killings in 2023, with a prevalence of 2.9 victims per 100,000 females.

“GBV not only causes harm, injury, and death to victims but also costs economies up to 4 per cent of national output. It remains a significant barrier to women’s participation in education and the labour market,” Mudavadi said.

He emphasized the need for a united effort to eradicate GBV, urging stakeholders—including faith-based organizations, parents, teachers, civil society, and all citizens of goodwill to step up and take responsibility.

“It is time for all Kenyans to say, enough is enough! We must confront social and cultural stigma, ensure proper funding, and enhance the coordination of anti-GBV programs. Perpetrators of femicide must be held fully accountable, and justice must be served swiftly,” Mudavadi insisted.

The Prime Cabinet Secretary echoed President William Ruto’s call for collective action to reverse the rising cases of femicide, stressing the importance of safety for women and girls.

“We cannot continue living in a country where women fear for their safety while taking public transportation or walking home. Similarly, we cannot allow our children to suffer mental health challenges due to cyberbullying, harassment, and sextortion online,” he said.

Mudavadi urged law enforcement agencies to operate with patriotism and prioritize GBV victims’ care by strengthening gender desks at police stations and hospitals to provide immediate support. He also called on counties to create dedicated budget lines to fund gender parity programs at the grassroots level.

“Enhancing respect for women and girls in our communities will help challenge retrogressive cultural practices and gender stereotypes that perpetuate GBV. Slapping your wife is not an act of love—it is a punishable crime!” he emphasized.

Safe Homes, Safe Spaces Initiative

Presidential Advisor on Women’s Rights, Harriette Chiggai, said the “Safe Homes Safe Spaces” initiative will run for three years with the goal of reducing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) through awareness campaigns, advocacy, and legal reforms.

“This initiative focuses on addressing systemic challenges such as domestic violence, violence against children, and harmful practices like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). It seeks to create safer environments for all Kenyans, especially women and children,” Chiggai said.

She referenced the 2023 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, which revealed that over 11 million women—20% of the population—have experienced physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime, with 2.8 million cases reported in the past year alone.

“I encourage all victims of SGBV to report abuse without fear. Our laws now extend to online offences, with the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act, 2018 ensuring perpetrators who use technology as a tool of violence are punished,” Chiggai noted.

She highlighted the role of GBV and FGM Working Groups in all 47 counties in coordinating comprehensive responses to gender-based violence. She also emphasized the importance of the Victim Protection Act, which allows for witness protection, identity concealment, and the use of witness protection boxes in court for vulnerable individuals.

“Today’s launch marks a partnership with key transport sector players to promote road safety and raise public awareness about GBV, with a special focus on boda boda (motorcycle taxi) safety,” Chiggai concluded.

The “Safe Homes Safe Spaces” initiative will prioritize community engagement, awareness creation, and public welfare to address GBV at all levels of society. ByBeth Nyaga, KBC

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