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CNN —Violent clashes between police and protestors have broken out in Nairobi, Kenya on Thursday as a government vote on a controversial finance bill gets underway. Parliament has been sealed off since Thursday morning with roads around it blocked as lawmakers debate the Finance Bill inside. Police are breaking up peaceful protesters with tear gas and water cannons around the city center in Nairobi. Festo Lang/CNNCNN has met protesters as young as 18 who say they’re fighting for their future. Look at the tears of the women in the country of Kenya,” one young man told CNN’s Larry Madowo.

Persons: Anger, Festo Lang, Ruto, ”, CNN’s Larry Madowo, Young Organizations: CNN, Police, CNN CNN Locations: Nairobi, Kenya, East

☆ Kenya: Hundreds arrested as protests flare over tax hikes
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-19 | by ( Nimi Princewill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Protests have erupted in parts of Kenya, with hundreds detained by police as citizens rejected planned tax hikes in the East African nation already grappling with escalating living costs. Civil society groups said that at least 283 people have been arrested since Tuesday as protests flared over the proposed hikes. Among the taxes suspended was a 16% value-added tax on bread and a 2.5% tax on motor vehicles, a statement from Kenya’s presidency said. Amnesty International’s Kenya office said it was “deeply outraged by the arbitrary arrest of peaceful protestors” in Nairobi on Tuesday. An alliance of civil society groups called for the unconditional release of detained protesters, which it said included journalists.

Persons: Kenyan John Wills Njoroge, It’s, “, ” Organizations: CNN, Kenyan, NTV, Kenyan Police Service, ” CNN Locations: Kenya, East, Nairobi, Mombassa, Mombasa, Kenya’s

☆ Kenyan government scraps elements of controversial tax bill amid protests
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Caitlin Danaher | Larry Madowo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The Kenyan government has scrapped some tax increases that were initially included in its controversial finance bill after people took to the streets in protest on Tuesday. “When we started the public participation in the finance bill of 2024, we did make a promise that public participation would not be an exercise in futility. We have listened to the view of Kenyans,” Kimani said in a speech outside the State House in Nairobi. Changes to the finance bill were driven by a “need to protect Kenyans from increased cost of living,” Kimani said. Kenyan police officers walk away from a street covered in tear gas during a demonstration against tax hikes in downtown Nairobi on June 18, 2024.

Persons: Kuria Kimani, ” Kimani, Luis Tato, William Ruto, “, ”, ” Ruto, Faith Odhiambo, ” Odhiambo Organizations: CNN, Kenyan, Kenya’s Finance, National Planning, Getty, State, Defenders Coalition, National Police, ” Police, Central Police Station, Kenya’s Law, National Police Service Locations: Nairobi, AFP, Kenya, National Police Service Kenya

☆ Kenya confronts trail of rape accusations and abandoned children against UK soldiers
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-17 | by ( Larry Madowo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Marian is among a group of mixed-race children whose mothers say they were conceived after rape by British soldiers training in Kenya. Mixed-race children continue to be born in the remote villages where the British Army trains its soldiers in Kenya. One of the more contentious accusations against British soldiers involves the case of Agnes Wanjiru. Allegations of rape and other crimes, including murder, by British soldiers deployed there date back to the 1950s. The UK investigators did not conduct DNA tests on any of the 69 mixed-race children alleged to have been born from rape by British soldiers.

Persons: Marian Pannalossy, “, ”, You’re, ’ ” Marian, Marian, Lydia Juma, ” Juma, ’ Marian, ’, Generica, Nicole, Namoru, Festo Lang, CNN Juma, BATUK, Agnes Wanjiru, hasn’t, Wanjiru’s, King, Marian Mutugi, Martyn Day, Ntoyie Lenkanan, CNN “, Saitet, nosedived, Kelvin Kubai, ” Kubai, Generica Namoru, “ I’m, It’s, “ It’s, We’re, ” Mutugi Organizations: Kenya CNN, CNN, British Army, British Army Training Unit, Defense, Intelligence, Foreign Relations, National, British, Kenyan, British High Commission, The Defense, Kenya National Commission, Human Rights, Britain’s Ministry of Defense, Royal Military Police, Reconciliation, Human Rights Commission Locations: Archer’s, Kenya, Archer’s Post, Nairobi, British, Samburu, Nanyuki, Britain, East, Laikipia, London, DolDol

☆ Haiti: Why Kenya-led security assistance has still not arrived
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Caitlin Hu | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Who are Haiti’s gangs? Complicating the situation is a torrent of smuggled guns and ammunition arming Haiti’s gangs, despite an arms embargo on the island. In October last year, the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) was finally greenlit by the United Nations’ powerful Security Council. More equipment, including armored vehicles and radios, is expected to arrive in Haiti for the MSS over the coming days and weeks. “We believe only the Haitian police can provide long term security for Haiti.

Persons: puncturing, Joe Biden, William Ruto, ” Ruto, ”, Viv Ansamn, Jovenel Moise, Antony Blinken, Al, Bill O’Neill, Ariel Henry, Ayub Abdikadir, Ruto, El Salvador, Felix Ulloa, “, SPNH17, Nou Pap, ’ Organizations: CNN, Kenyan, Haitian, Haiti’s National Police, Relations, Multinational Security, Multinational, United Nations, Security, police, UN, Presidential Council, Kenya’s Citizen, Canada, El, Salvadoran, “, NPD, Haitian National Police Locations: Haiti, Haitian, Port, Washington, Kenya, Al Shabaab, Somalia, Sudan, Congo, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Chad, Jamaica, United States, France, Spain, Canada, Toussaint Louverture, El Salvador

☆ Biden Plans to Give Kenya Key Ally Designation During Its Leader’s Visit
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Michael D. Shear | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

President Biden will designate Kenya on Thursday as a “major non-NATO ally,” according to a U.S. official, a move that reflects the president’s determination to deepen relations with the East African nation even as other countries — including Russia and China — are racing to do the same. Mr. Biden will inform Congress of his intention, as required by law, as he hosts President William Ruto of Kenya with a formal state dinner at the White House on Thursday, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to allow Mr. Biden to make the announcement. The designation is given to countries whose militaries have a strategic working relationship with the United States, though not necessarily a mutual defense pact. Kenya would be the first sub-Saharan African country to be so designated. As he greeted Mr. Ruto upon his arrival in Washington on Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Biden officially reneged on that promise, telling him that he intended to visit the continent “in February, after I am re-elected.” For months, Mr. Biden’s aides had ducked questions about whether he would travel to Africa during a busy election year.

Persons: Biden, ”, William Ruto of, Ruto, Biden’s Organizations: Kenya, U.S, East, White, U.S . Locations: NATO, Russia, China, William Ruto of Kenya, United States, Kenya, U.S, Africa, Washington

☆ Biden looks to counter China’s influence as he rolls out red carpet for Kenya
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Kevin Liptak | Kayla Tausche | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Among the goals of his three-day state visit in October: securing another $1 billion in loans from China to help complete infrastructure projects. On Wednesday, when he arrived at Joint Base Andrews to begin another state visit – this time to Washington – he again found a red carpet and troops. Senior administration officials acknowledge a central factor in scheduling a state visit with Kenya was the desire to counter China’s influence and financial leverage on the African continent, which has outpaced the United States in direct investment. One of the goals of Thursday’s state visit is to demonstrate the ability of democracies – like Kenya’s – to deliver for their people. “I plan on going in February,” Biden told reporters.

Persons: Washington CNN —, William Ruto, Joint Base Andrews, Washington –, Jill Biden, Joe Biden, –, Kenya –, ”, “, Biden, Ruto, ” Ruto, he’s, João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Jake Sullivan, ” Biden, Xi Jinping, Donald Trump –, ” Sullivan, Ariel Henry Organizations: Washington CNN, Kenyan, Joint Base, East, Kenya, NATO, Africa –, White, Initiative, Loans, Washington, World Bank, Group, European Union, Democratic, White House, Angolan, Advisers, CNN, Haitian Locations: Beijing, China, Africa, Kenya, United States, China’s, Nairobi, Mombasa, Boston, US, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Washington, East, Ukraine, ”, Russia, –, combatting al, Shabab, Somalia, Yemen, Haiti

☆ Obama Is a Surprise Guest Among Allies at Biden’s State Dinner for Kenya
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Katie Rogers | Zach Montague | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

State dinners are best known as bear hugs for overseas allies, and Thursday’s honoree was Kenya. But the sixth state dinner of President Biden’s term was designed to clutch domestic allies — not the least of them Mr. Obama, whose father was Kenyan — even tighter as the president makes the long slog toward November. The list included President William Ruto of Kenya and his wife, Rachel, along with three of his daughters. “We share a strong respect for the history that connects us together,” Mr. Biden said to his guests during a toast. The lineup included elected officials in several battleground states, influential Black political operatives, and powerful philanthropists, like Melinda French Gates.

Persons: Barack Obama, Biden’s, —, Obama, William Ruto, Rachel, James Mwangi, ” Mr, Biden, Jimmy Carter, Melinda French Gates Organizations: White, Equity Group Holdings Locations: Kenya, Kenyan

☆ The Full Guest List for Biden’s State Dinner With Kenya
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Minho Kim | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

The White House invited more than 450 guests to the state dinner hosted by President Biden for President William Ruto on Thursday night, including business executives, musicians, leaders of the United Nations, community organizers and scholars on sustainable development. Former President Barack Obama also attended the event, although he was not included on a list of those invited provided by the White House. Here is the full list of others invited. THE PRESIDENT AND DR. BIDENHIS EXCELLENCY WILLIAM SAMOEI RUTO, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA, AND HER EXCELLENCY RACHEL RUTOAlice P. Albright, chief executive of Millennium Challenge Corporation, and Gregory B. BowesElizabeth E. Alexander, communications director for the first lady, and David Wade

Persons: Biden, William Ruto, Barack Obama, WILLIAM SAMOEI RUTO, RACHEL RUTO Alice P, Albright, Gregory B, Bowes Elizabeth E, Alexander, David Wade Organizations: White House, United Nations, White, THE, DR, BIDEN HIS, OF THE, OF KENYA, Millennium Challenge Corporation

☆ Kenyan President’s State Visit: An Antidote to U.S. Troubles in Africa?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Declan Walsh | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

As other African nations move away from the United States, disillusioned with democracy or lured by rival powers, President William Ruto of Kenya arrives in Washington on Wednesday for a three-day state visit intended to showcase a stalwart American ally on the continent. Relations with once-firm American allies like South Africa and Ethiopia are decidedly cool. Mr. Ruto, the Biden administration hopes, is the antidote to those troubles. Since he came to power two years ago, Mr. Ruto, 57, has pulled Kenya, the economic powerhouse of East Africa, ever closer to the United States. His visit is just the sixth state visit hosted by the Biden administration, and the first for an African president since 2008.

Persons: William Ruto, Ruto, Biden Locations: United States, Kenya, Washington, American, Russia, China, Niger, South Africa, Ethiopia, Senegal, East Africa

☆ Kenyan officials arrive in Haiti ahead of planned security mission
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Caitlin Stephen Hu | David Culver | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —A delegation of Kenyan “command staff” has arrived in Haiti, according to a law enforcement source in the country, ahead of the long-delayed arrival of a Kenyan-led multinational security support force in the Caribbean nation. Members of the delegation are also expected to meet with US and United Nations officials in the country, sources said. The UN Security Council last year authorized a multinational mission to support Haiti’s National Police in battling deadly gangs that have seized control of much of the capital Port-au-Prince. But despite strong support from the US and other regional powers, the mission has been mired in uncertainty and legal challenges for months. The council said Tuesday that it met with top Haitian police brass to discuss the multinational mission.

Persons: CNN —, ”, Ariel Henry, Korir Sing’Oei, Antony Blinken, “, Price, Joe Biden, William Ruto, Rachel Ruto, CNN’s Michael Conte, Audry Jeong Organizations: CNN, Kenyan, US, United Nations, UN Security, Haiti’s National Police, Haitian, Haitian National Police, UN, Canada, Relations, White Locations: Haiti, Caribbean, Kenya, France, Spain, United States, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Chad, Jamaica

☆ Mothers of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA Speak Out on Resignations
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Anneta Konstantinides | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +15 min

A rocky startVoight was the first Miss Utah to win the Miss USA crown since 1960. Miss USARose, a fashion designer, bought the Miss USA license after a turbulent year that included rigging allegations and a sexual harassment cover-up. Hector Vivas/Getty ImagesIn her Miss USA resignation letter, Noelia detailed the "detrimental mental and emotional toll" of her time at Miss USA and how it "greatly impacted" her physical health. Noelia and UmaSofia's reigns as Miss USA and Miss Teen USA would have officially ended in August, but their mothers said it became too much. The network — which signed a three-year deal in April to air both the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA competitions — said on Monday that it's now "evaluating its relationship with both pageants," according to USA Today.

Persons: Noelia Voigt, Jackeline Voigt, Noelia's, Jackeline, Barbara Srivastava —, Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava, Noelia, UmaSofia, Barbara, Miss USA's, Laylah Rose, aren't, Rose, Voight, We're, we're, Brian Ach, Miss USA, Thom Brodeur, UmaSofia Srivastava, Barbara Srivastava Barbara, didn't, Stephanie Skinner, Skinner, Teen USA — Barbara, Rose hadn't, USA's, Kenya Moore, Olivia Culpo, they're, Voigt, Hector Vivas, —, — Noelia, Rose weaponized, Claudia Michelle —, Michelle, Colorado Arianna Lemus, Laylah, she's, Barbara Srivastava, it's, Brodeur Organizations: Miss USA, Business, Miss Teen USA, Miss, ABC News, New York, Christmas, Teen USA, Miss Universe, El, ., BI, USA, Miss Teen, Noelia, CW Network Locations: Venezuelan American, Miss Utah, Miss USA, Noelia's, USA, El Salvador

☆ Kenya floods: Anger mounts as people left homeless and searching for loved ones swept away in floods
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Larry Madowo | Laura Paddison | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Mai Mahiu, Kenya CNN —When Julia Wanjiku put her son Isaac to bed last Sunday after a day celebrating his third birthday, she didn’t realize she was also saying goodbye. She was among the survivors gathering at Ngeya Girls High School in Mai Mahiu on Tuesday. A damaged car buried in mud in an area heavily affected by torrential rains and flash floods in the village of Kamuchiri, near Mai Mahiu, on April 29. Luis Tato/AFP via Getty ImagesPeople removing mud and water from their house in Mai Mahiu, Kenya, on April 29. Rescuers carry the body of a young man recovered in the debris following flooding, in Mai Mahiu, Kenya.

Persons: Mai Mahiu, Kenya CNN —, Julia Wanjiku, Isaac, Wanjiku, — Isaac, “, ” Wanjiku, Isaac’s, Mai Mahui, It’s, Luis Tato, El, William Ruto, Kithure Kindiki, Isaac Mwaura, ” Ruto, Mark Laichena, ”, Simon Maina, Mwaura, Nyagoah Tut, James Wakibia, Joyce Kimutai, herder, Makau, “ I’m, ” Larry Madowo, Laura Paddison, CNN’s Louis Mian, Allison Chinchar, Mary Gilbert Organizations: Kenya CNN, CNN, Girls High School, Getty, Getty Images, “, Kenyan, Space Agency European Space Agency, European Space Agency, Isaac Mwaura ., Communities, United Arab Emirates, Rights Watch, Kenya Meteorological Department, Human Rights Watch, Rescuers, Imperial College London’s Grantham Institute Locations: Kenya, Mai, Kenya’s, Nairobi, Mai Mahiu, Kamuchiri, AFP, Getty Images Kenya, Garissa, Tanzania, Tana, Mathare, New York, El, Nyagoah Tut Pur, Africa, East Africa, London

☆ Kenya floods: Maasai Mara visitors stranded as death toll nears 200
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Larry Madowo | Rob Picheta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Staff and visitors have been left stranded and buildings submerged at Kenya’s famous Maasai Mara nature reserve, as the death toll in catastrophic flooding in the country’s southwest rose to at least 188 people. Local authorities ordered some tourist facilities in the National Reserve to close after River Talek, one of the tributaries of the Mara River, burst its banks and swept through more than a dozen riverside tourist lodges and camps. In Maasai Mara, camp owners were told to leave the affected properties and “move to higher ground further away from River Talek,” governor of Narok county Patrick Ole Ntutu said on Wednesday. Parts of Maasai Mara National Reserve were left submerged by the flooding. Authorities said they had deployed two helicopters to rescue stranded tourists and local staff around the national reserve after receiving distress calls.

Persons: Mai Mahiu, Isaac Mwaura, Susan Kihika, Mara, Patrick Ole Ntutu, Bobby Neptune, Luis Tato, Kipkech Lotiatia, Bush, James Apolloh Omenya, couldn’t, “, X, El Niño, Jagan Chapagain, ”, Nyagoah Tut Organizations: CNN — Staff, National Reserve, CNN, Mara National Reserve, Authorities, Cross, Paramilitary, ”, Youth Service, ” International Federation of Red, Red Crescent Societies, Human Rights, “ Kenyan Locations: Mara, Kenya, Nairobi, Mai, Nakuru County, ”, Narok, AFP, Talek, Kenya’s, Africa, East Africa, Tanzania, Burundi, “ Kenya, Nyagoah Tut Pur

Rescue teams are digging through the mud and debris trying to find survivors near Mai Mahiu, in Kenya’s Nakuru County, Gov. In Mai Mahiu, Kihika said a serious situation was unfolding as floodwaters swept away people and homes. Access to Mai Mahiu, 20 miles north of the capital Nairobi, had been difficult as part of the road had been cut off from recent heavy rains, Kihika said. Other video shows vast flooding around the Tana River, with large parts of the surrounding area underwater. Heavy rains in East Africa have also affected Tanzania and Burundi.

Persons: Susan Kihika, Isaac Maigua Mwaura, Mai Mahiu, Kihika, ” Kihika, Tana, Andre Kasuku, downpours, El Niño, Jagan Chapagain, Kassim Majaliwa Organizations: Kenya CNN —, Gov, CNN, Kenya Red Cross Society, of Education Locations: Nairobi, Kenya, Mai Mahiu, Kenya’s Nakuru County, Mai, Mororo, Tana River, Garissa, North Eastern Kenya, Tana, Kona, Tana River County, East Africa, Tanzania, Burundi, Tanzanian

☆ At least 32 dead as flash floods sweep through half of Kenya
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Lindsay Isaac | Larry Madowo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Nairobi, Kenya CNN —At least 32 people have been killed and two are missing after flash floods swept through almost half of Kenya. Kenya has registered heavy rain since mid-March but downpours have intensified over the past week, leading to mass flooding. Simon Maina/AFP/Getty ImagesTwo major highways out of Nairobi saw heavy traffic on Wednesday after floodwaters submerged parts of them. The Kenya Urban Roads Authority partially closed four roads that were heavily affected and warned of flooding on two others. The Kenya Meteorological Department warned of “heavy to very heavy” rainfall in parts of the country in an update on Wednesday.

Persons: downpours, ”, Edwin Sifuna, Simon Maina Organizations: Kenya CNN —, Kenyan, The Kenya Red Cross Society, Getty, Kenya Urban Roads Authority, Kenya Railways, Kenya Meteorological Department Locations: Nairobi, Kenya, The, ”, Mathare, AFP

☆ Flooding Inundates Kenya, Killing at Least 32 and Displacing Thousands
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Jesus Jiménez | More About Jesus Jiménez | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Days of heavy rains have pummeled parts of Kenya, leaving at least 32 dead, 15 injured and more than 40,000 people displaced, according to officials. They said that flooding had killed nearly 1,000 farm animals and destroyed thousands of acres of crops, with more rain expected across the country. The rains began in March during what is known in the country as the “long rains,” but precipitation intensified over the past week, according to the Kenya Meteorological Department. In Nairobi, where some of the heaviest rain has fallen, more than 30,000 people have been displaced, according to the United Nations. On Tuesday, 18 people, including seven children, were stranded, and later rescued, in Nairobi after heavy rain, the Kenya Red Cross Society said.

Persons: Edwin Sifuna Organizations: Kenya Meteorological Department, United Nations, Kenya Red Cross Society Locations: Kenya, Nairobi, Nairobi County

☆ London Marathon 2024: Peres Jepchirchir wins London Marathon women’s elite race and breaks women’s-only world record
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —It was billed as a race that would be harder to win than the Olympic marathon gold in Paris and the London Marathon’s elite women’s race did not disappoint as reigning Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir won a hugely competitive race and set a new women’s-only world record. The field had a clutch of runners who were capable of breaking the record but it was Jepchirchir who made history, finishing ahead of Ethiopia’s world record holder Tigst Assefa in a sprint finish. I was not expecting to run a world record. I’m happy too to be in Paris for the Olympic marathon. Before the race a tribute was paid to world record holder and 2023 winner Kelvin Kiptum, who died in a traffic accident near his home in Kenya earlier this year.

Persons: Peres Jepchirchir, Mary Keitany, Jepchirchir, Tigst, Joyciline Jepkosgei, “, ” Jepchirchir, I’m, ” Alexander Mutiso Munyao, John Walton, Alexander Mutiso Munyao, Kenenisa Bekele, Emile Cairess, Kelvin Kiptum, Munyao, ”, Bekele, Marcel Hug, Catherine Debrunner Organizations: CNN, London, Olympic, Kenyan, BBC Sport Locations: Paris, jubilation, Kenya, ” Swiss

☆ Chinese runner’s win invites suspicion after rivals appear to step aside
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Andrew Mcnicol | Hassan Tayir | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —Chinese runner He Jie’s victory Sunday in the Beijing Half Marathon is facing a probe after his win was called into question by Chinese internet users because a trio of African runners appeared to deliberately slow down to let him win. The Chinese runner crossed the finish line in 1:03:44 to claim the $5,500 first prize, with the African trio just one second behind in joint-second place. The video clip shows the African runners applauding He’s win and patting him on the back, though the Asian Games marathon champion appears less enthused despite winning his first ever competitive half marathon. Some Chinese internet users called for an investigation into the race, while others demanded action from organizers. He is ranked 77th in the world in men’s marathon by World Athletics and is expected to lead the way for Asian runners in the upcoming Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.

Persons: Kenya’s Willy Mnangat, Robert Keter, Ethiopia’s, He’s, patting, “, ”, ” Xstep, It’s, Mark Dreyer, That’s, “ It’s, Jie, ” Dreyer Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Asian Games, Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau, Chinese Athletics Association, CNN, Sporting, World Athletics Locations: Hong Kong, Beijing, Kenya, Weibo, China’s Ningxia

☆ Investigation Finds World Bank Failed to Police Abuse at Kenyan Schools
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Alan Rappeport | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The World Bank’s internal watchdog on Thursday criticized the organization’s handling and oversight of its investment in a chain of Kenyan schools that were subject to an internal investigation after allegations that students were abused. The investigation, which started in 2020, has consumed World Bank officials and shareholders in recent months and led to scrutiny of its investment arm, the International Finance Corporation, which invested in the educational project a decade ago. While the scandal predates the tenure of Ajay Banga, the World Bank’s new president, it has emerged as one of the first tests of his management. Mr. Banga will be responsible for directing any changes related to how the bank invests in private-sector projects. was interfering in the investigation, and U.S. lawmakers have told him that the bank’s future funding could hinge on his handling of the matter.

Persons: Ajay Banga, Banga Organizations: Bank, International Finance Corporation

☆ Haiti’s prime minister is resigning. Will that bring calm to the gang-ravaged country?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Caitlin Stephen Hu | Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

In Henry’s place, a transitional council will be established and endowed with some powers of the presidency – including the ability to name a new interim prime minister. It is unclear how long it could take to establish a transitional council to begin the transfer of power, though Haiti’s former PM Claude Joseph told CNN that it could be created within 24 hours. The big question is whether these changes can bring calm to Haiti, and put a stop to the terrible violence tearing apart Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince. Talks with regional leaders continued, leading into the emergency CARICOM meeting on Monday. The United States will contribute $300 million to the Kenyan-led multinational security mission, Blinken said after attending the CARICOM meeting on Monday.

Persons: CNN —, Ariel Henry, Henry, Claude Joseph, Jimmy “, Henry’s, Cherizier, Odelyn Joseph, Romaine LeCoeur, Fanmi, Petit, Jimmy Cherizier, Viv Ansanm, “ ’ Viv Ansanm ’, ” Cherizier, Guy Philippe, Philippe, ”, “ we’re, State Anthony Blinken, William Ruto, “, ” Blinken, Mia Mottley, Will Ariel Henry, Blinken Organizations: CNN, CNN — Haiti’s, Caribbean, US State Department, AP, United Nations, Initiative, Transnational, CARICOM, Montana Group, Petit Dessalinnes, United Nations Security, Kenyan, senior State Department, State, State Department Locations: Caribbean, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Kenya, Port, Prince, Swiss, EDE, CARICOM, “, Barbados, United States

Reliable and affordable food and commodity imports are more important to a net food importer like Kenya than to some other countries. Perhaps more importantly, a critical part of the world's food supply system remains disrupted, undermining food security and raising the underlying costs of cross-border trade. The governments of Kenya and Ukraine are also working together on food security. Meanwhile, Russia's own efforts to play a part in rebuilding food security have been more a public relations exercise than real action. Although Russian sources have claimed that such shipments have begun, there is still little evidence of Russian food aid arriving in Africa.

Persons: Timothy Njagi Njeru, Kalya Kiptiony, Dr Abraham Korir SingOei, William Ruto, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russia's, Dr Njeru, Lensa Omune Organizations: Tegemeo Institute, Kenyan, Initiative, Kenya's Ministry of Foreign, Diaspora Affairs, International Food Policy Research Institute, Insider Studios, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Locations: East Africa, Ukraine, Kenya, Russian, Nairobi, Russia, Africa, Horn, Port, Mombasa

☆ Kelvin Kiptum’s funeral: Thousands in Kenya mourn marathon hero as family pays emotional tributes
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Larry Madowo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Nairobi, Kenya CNN —Kenyan politicians and leaders in sports gathered on Friday for a funeral service celebrating the life of marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum, who died in a road accident last Sunday. Kiptum, 24, and his coach Gervais Hakizimana died at the scene of the crash outside the Rift Valley town of Eldoret, police said. Kiptum’s widow, Asenath Cheruto, led the ceremony and paid tribute to her late husband with a moving speech. For Kelvin’s family, his fellow athletes, the legion of friends from within and beyond athletics … But I can speak on behalf of the entire world athletics family,” Coe said“Kelvin, you will be missed. The President of Athletics Kenya Jackson Tuwei announced that Golazo, a company specializing in athletes management, is launching the Kelvin Kiptum Foundation, which “will predominantly provide continued financial support for education and infrastructure.”

Persons: Kelvin Kiptum, William Ruto, Rigathi Gachagua, Musalia Mudavadi, Gervais Hakizimana, Kiptum’s, Asenath Cheruto, “, ” Cheruto, ”, Cheruto, Sebastian Coe, ” Coe, Kelvin, “ Kelvin, Athletics Kenya Jackson Tuwei Organizations: Kenya CNN — Kenyan, Athletics, Athletics Kenya, Kelvin, Kelvin Kiptum Foundation Locations: Nairobi, Kenya, Elgeyo Marakwet, Eldoret

It was clear that the war could significantly damage the Kenyan economy, as the country is almost entirely dependent on imports for its conventional fuel supply. But the extent of the damage caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine to Kenya's economy is now clearer than ever. Kalya Kiptiony, investment analystFuel is Kenya's economic lifebloodAfter the start of the war, the price of fuel in Kenya rose, on average, 7.6% every month. Although Kenya gets most of its oil from the Gulf, Russia's invasion of Ukraine led to a spike in fuel prices worldwide. In a report late last year, the UN described just how factors like drought, inflation, and fuel and food price rises are combining to undermine livelihoods in Kenya.

Persons: Lensa Omune, Kalya, Kalya Kiptiony Organizations: International Food Policy Research Institute, Central Bank, IMF, UN, Insider Studios, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Kenya, Nairobi, East Africa, Africa, Europe

☆ Artist Uman creates kaleidoscopic worlds on canvas
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-18 | by ( Suyin Haynes | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

“I’m more of a fan of the destination,” the artist said, smiling behind sunglasses on a cloudy afternoon in London. Uman Joe PerezIt’s her studio — “my fortress,” as she calls it — where she feels most at home, happiest and freest. This sense of freedom is conveyed in Uman’s latest work, currently on display at Hauser & Wirth gallery in London. Uman Courtesy the artist/Hauser & Wirth/Nicola Vassell GalleryIn a way, each work in the show also extends beyond its own canvas, as Uman worked on several artworks simultaneously during the second half of 2023. “The mirrors came from nostalgia,” says Uman, who recalls growing up celebrating Eid wearing garments embellished with circular mirrors.

Persons: she’s, “, ”, Uman Joe Perez It’s, Hauser, Nicola Vassell, I’m, I’ve Organizations: CNN, Uman, Hauser & Wirth, Wirth, “, Art Basel Miami, Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum Locations: Uman, London, Somalia, Somali, Denmark, New York City, ”, New York, Kenya, ” Uman, Connecticut, Nairobi

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