Government in circles over captured tanks

With Somali pirates holding at ransom 33 powerful tanks and world powers staring helplessly, Kenya’s government is running around in circles amidst controversy over the true destination of the weapons.
Last Thursday, Somali pirates seized a ship carrying more than 30 military tanks. Initial reports indicated the tanks were ordered by the government of Southern Sudan. [...]

Secret tank deal shows poor priorities

A secret tank deal by Kenya’s Army would have gone unnoticed if Somali pirates hadn’t hijacked a Ukrainian ship ferrying the 33 tanks to the port of Mombasa.
Its not clear when the Department of Defence placed an order for T-72 tanks from Russia. The Army has not explained how much it spent on the equipment, [...]

Kenyan tanks captured by Somali pirates

In the latest embarrassment for Kenya’s government, 33 newly-ordered tanks have been captured by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean.
According to the Daily Nation, Somali pirates on Thursday afternoon seized a ship carrying more than 30 military tanks in a dramatic hijacking that sent ripples in the maritime industry.
The BBC reports Kenyan government spokesman Alfred [...]

Police death squads exposed in Mungiki war

A government human rights body has implicated Kenyan police in the abduction, torture and execution of at least 500 young men. Scores of others arrested from their homes cannot be found.
In its report, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights says that top political leaders working with police commanders were aware of the death squads. [...]

Somali pirates seize 30 tanks

Pirates off the coast of Somalia have seized a Ukrainian ship carrying 30 tanks headed for the port of Mombasa, an official has said.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry said the ship had a crew of 21. The tanks were ordered by the Southern Sudan government.
More on this story from the BBC >>

Munyes destroys NSSF goodwill

Within a month, Labour Minister John Munyes has single-handedly laid to waste NSSF efforts to redeem its image.
A consistent public relations campaign by NSSF (National Social Security Fund) in the past several years had succeeded in changing Kenyans’ perception of the state-controlled pension fund.
By the middle of this year, NSSF was winning awards for good [...]

UDM an emerging force in Rift Valley

About a decade ago, Cyrus Jirongo and Kipruto arap Kirwa fell out with President Daniel arap Moi. The two were youthful legislators in the ruling Kenya African National Union (KANU) and felt unappreciated by Moi.
In revenge, and fully aware of Moi’s loathing for multi-party politics, Jirongo and Kirwa founded the United Democratic Movement (UDM). The [...]

Michuki rules did not work

An upsurge in road accidents in Kenya has led to calls for the return of John Michuki to the Ministry of Transport. Motoring analysts however say that the Michuki rules did not work because they merely focused on punishing bus and matatu operators.
Scores of people have died on Kenyan roads in recent weeks. Most of [...]

The fall of Thabo Mbeki

Many within the African National Congress (ANC) believed that Thabo Mbeki was an inveterate plotter, and they had the scars to prove it. Now he has been made to pay the price.
The former South African president’s alleged role in plotting against Mr Jacob Zuma, his former deputy, was the last straw.
While serving as deputy president [...]

Somalia war returns to the limelight

Long forgotten by the world, the crisis in Somalia is back in the limelight as Somali pirates hijack dozens of ships, thereby threatening shipping routes in the Indian Ocean.
Meanwhile, Islamic insurgents have intensified attacks against a US backed government and now control Somalia’s port city of Kismayu. It is feared that renewed fighting will disrupt [...]