Balcony churches: Kenyans find new ways to worship in lockdown – The Guardian
June 29, 2020
With no date set for religious buildings to reopen, an innovative priest brings his own brand of musical service to apartment complexes.
Articles
Coronavirus threatens China’s Belt and Road. What happens when it wants half a trillion dollars back? – Los Angeles Times
May 20, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has unleashed a global recession that threatens the colossal international loan program that is a symbol of China’s growing prestige and a centerpiece of President Xi Jinping’s reign. The Belt and Road Initiative — China’s effort to finance nearly half a trillion dollars in new infrastructure across Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America — took flight during a period of global expansion and easy travel that has now slammed into a sober reckoning. Beijing faces mounting calls to reschedule loans for shipping hubs, electrical plants and transport links that look unsustainable as economies struggle and globalization slows.
The Coronavirus Is Cutting Off Africa’s Abortion Access – Foreign Policy
May 4, 2020
The collapse of medical supply chains has been a catastrophe for women in developing countries. Lockdowns have made matters worse.
East African truck drivers carrying essential goods cross-border may also be transmitting Covid-19 – Quartz
April 28, 2020
Uganda is concerned that East African truck drivers carrying essential goods from Kenya and Tanzania may also being transmitting Covid-19 along their routes and between borders. My latest on the pandemic for Quartz.
Kenya’s 3D printing community is making Covid-19 equipment to fill a deficit as caseloads rise – Quartz
April 15, 2020
As Kenya prepares for a rise in novel coronavirus cases, 3D printing companies are designing and printing personal protective equipment (PPEs) and parts for medical devices to address the expected deficit in the country. Read my latest for Quartz Africa here.
Two new generations of locusts are set to descend on East Africa again—400 times stronger – Quartz
April 10, 2020
An infestation of desert locusts first arrived in East Africa last June, feeding on hundreds of thousands of hectares of crops and pastureland and chomping a path of destruction through at least eight countries. Scientists say these devastating insects never left East Africa: in fact, favorable wet conditions due to above average rainfall this season means they are likely to achieve two generations of new breeding by June this year, increasing their population size up to 400 times. Read my latest for Quartz Africa here.
‘Most of the men are your enemies’: one woman’s crusade in Somalia – The Guardian
April 9, 2020
Ibado Mohammed Abdulle is a counsellor, friend and campaigner for women who have been made refugees in their own country by the impact of the climate crisis. Read my story from Somaliland here.
Across Africa, a reliance on the informal sector threatens effective coronavirus lockdowns – Quartz
April 4, 2020
Read my contribution to this Quartz collaboration about the impact of COVID-19 on informal workers here.
Like a biblical plague, locusts swarm East Africa, laying waste to crops and livelihoods – Los Angeles Times
March 26, 2020
Schistocerca gregaria, better known as the desert locust, has smitten East Africa like a plague from the Bible. Read my report from Somaliland about how the pests have devastated farmers and pastoralists in East Africa.
Kenya has world-class runners but investors have been hesitant to back locally-made running shoes – Quartz
February 17, 2020
Kenyan runners are known worldwide for winning gold medals and breaking world records. But the country’s first performance athletic shoe company, Enda, ran into multiple hurdles when trying to convince investors at home and abroad Kenya could become a significant manufacturing hub.