Timothy Gachanga, Kenyatta University The French parliament has unanimously passed a law to return the Djidji Ayôkwé, a sacred talking drum stolen by colonial forces from Côte d’Ivoire in 1916. Once used by the Ebrié people in the coastal south of the country to summon gatherings, announce royal messages and anchor community identity,
Kamau Wairuri, Edinburgh Napier University Days ahead of the first anniversary in Kenya of the Gen Z-led anti-government protests that resulted in at least 60 deaths and displays of police brutality, news broke that Albert Ojwang, a young Kenyan blogger, had died in police detention. Kamau Wairuri who has studied the politics of
Douglas Lucas Kivoi, The Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) The recent killing in Kenya of a young man in police detention highlights a string of systemic failures to hold the country’s security officers accountable for their actions. Despite public outrage and protests, Kenyan police officers continue to use inhumane,
Bethany Rebisz, University of Bristol Each year in Kenya, familiar faces are feted at the national remembrance of the country’s heroes and heroines. Dedan Kimathi is arguably the most commemorated of figures. As one of the most prominent leaders of the anti-colonial Land and Freedom Army, Mau Mau, he has become a symbol
Wycliffe W. Njororai Simiyu, Stephen F. Austin State University Kenyan running star Faith Kipyegon is considered one of the greatest 1,500m athletes the world has ever seen. If she wins her third consecutive Olympic gold in Paris, she’ll become the first athlete in the history of the event to achieve this feat, male
Gedion Onyango, London School of Economics and Political Science A strong undercurrent driving the unprecedented anti-tax protests in Kenya is outrage over theft of public resources coupled with the extravagant lifestyles of public servants. There are widespread frustrations that President William Ruto also failed to deliver on his electoral promises to address corruption.
Jennifer Greenburg, University of Sheffield As the security situation in Haiti deteriorates, Kenya has offered to lead a new sort of UN mission to the country from 2024. In early October, the UN Security Council authorised a Multinational Security Support mission led by Kenya to confront the paramilitary-style gangs that control the capital
Millions of people, displaced from their home countries, take refuge in areas that are highly vulnerable to extreme weather. Qaabata Boru left his home in Ethiopia on a nearly 1,500-kilometer journey to Kenya as a political refugee. Upon arriving at the Kakuma refugee camp, he learned of the worrying conditions faced by its
A scout from Kenya’s forest protection unit walks past mangrove tree stumps in Malindi. Simon Maina/AFP via Getty Images Lisa E. Fuchs, Center for International Forestry Research – World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) Kenyan president William Ruto has lifted a six-year ban on logging, despite public objections. Ruto said it would create jobs and boost
In a country like Kenya, artisanal and small-scale mining represents a significant proportion of gemstone mining. Taita Taveta County is the largest producer of gemstones, with artisanal and small-scale mining accounting for over 60% of its annual production. Gemstone mining is a source of employment and an important foreign exchange earner for both