A government crackdown on media freedom and political opposition in Kenya are the latest signs that East Africa’s most vibrant economic power is slipping off its democratic path.
As the cornerstone of East African democracy, Kenya is an important economic and political force in the region and a critical U.S. ally in the fight against terrorism. But worrying signs, including a crackdown on press and civil society, police killings committed seemingly with impunity, and threats and attacks on election officials and judges, suggest that Kenya may be veering off its democratic path.
Kenya is experiencing an economic boycott against government-affiliated corporations, just one of many efforts spreading throughout the country and spearheaded by Kenyatta’s primary opposition, the NASA coalition. But resistance is not reserved to NASA supporters: a movement is rising against what many see as a slide away from Democracy in Kenya.
Somalia has opened its first forensic laboratory to test DNA in sexual crimes, and it’s a big step in protecting survivors of sexual assault.
Ugandan prisons are setting an example for how to rehabilitate and reform inmates thanks to nonprofit organizations like Advance Afrika and Africa Prisons Project that offer education, life-skills training and economic opportunities to prisoners across the country.
Female genital mutilation is a widespread problem in Somalia — this girls basketball team wants to end the harmful practice.
Kenya’s historic Supreme Court decision to void President Uhuru Kenyatta’s August 8 reelection victory based on voting irregularities was widely hailed as a testament to the strength and independence of the country’s judiciary. But a deteriorating political situation and uncertainty surrounding recently enacted election reforms is raising concerns about the country’s ability to hold a fair rerun of the vote on Thursday.
My livestream from Nairobi where I speak to Kenyans about the invalidated 2017 presidential election and ask them their hopes for the rescheduled October 17 vote.
Somalia has opened its first forensic laboratory to process rape kits. Sexual assault is widespread in the country, according to human rights groups, but few victims come forward and few perpetrators are punished. The new forensic lab in Somalia’s Puntland region has been hailed as a step in the right direction, but a long road remains to end impunity for gender-based violence.
Somalia has opened its first forensic laboratory to process rape kits. Sexual assault is widespread in the country, according to human rights groups, but few victims come forward and few perpetrators are punished. The new forensic lab in Somalia’s Puntland region has been hailed as a step in the right direction, but a long road remains to end impunity for gender-based violence.