Laatste nieuws in region
Kenya Keeps Fuel Prices Steady Despite Global Oil Surge
Nairobi, 14 March 2026
Kenyan motorists receive unexpected relief as fuel prices remain unchanged through April, even as global oil costs jumped dramatically. Import costs rose sharply with diesel up 8.46% and oil approaching $100 per barrel amid Middle East tensions.
Former Cabinet Secretary Tuju Forcibly Evicted from £1.5 Billion Karen Property
Nairobi, 14 March 2026
Armed police officers stormed Raphael Tuju’s Karen property at 3am on Saturday, forcibly removing the former Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary over a decade-old £1.5 billion debt to the East African Development Bank. Officers arrived in six unmarked vehicles without presenting court orders, prompting Tuju to declare he was ‘ready to die’ rather than leave his premises. The dramatic eviction follows a High Court ruling permitting the auction of Tuju’s properties, though his legal team argues the police action lacked proper authorisation and occurred despite pending appeal proceedings in higher courts.
Trump Demands UK Naval Support as Iran's New Leader Escalates Hormuz Crisis
Tehran, 14 March 2026
President Trump has called on Britain and allied nations to deploy warships to the Strait of Hormuz after Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei vowed to maintain the shipping blockade in his first public statement. The crisis has already seen 16 tanker attacks since late February, pushing oil prices above $100 per barrel with analysts predicting they could reach $200. The strait, which handles one-fifth of global oil supplies, remains effectively closed despite Trump’s claims of destroying Iran’s military capabilities, forcing ships onto dangerous alternative routes around Africa.
Kenya's Trade Union Leader Secures Sixth Consecutive Term After 25 Years in Power
Kisumu, 14 March 2026
Francis Atwoli has achieved an unprecedented sixth consecutive term as COTU Secretary General, extending his leadership of Kenya’s largest trade union body to over two decades. Running unopposed at elections held in Kisumu, Atwoli has overseen remarkable growth since 2001, expanding COTU membership from 300,000 to over four million workers whilst establishing more than 4,000 collective bargaining agreements. His tenure has witnessed significant institutional development, including the expansion of Employment and Labour Relations Courts from three to over 25 judges nationwide, and the establishment of a leading labour training centre in Africa.
Aerial Technology Discovers Hidden Water Sources in Kenya's Drought-Hit Kajiado County
Kajiado, 13 March 2026
Kenya’s Kajiado County deploys cutting-edge aerial scanning technology to locate previously unknown underground water reservoirs and rivers beneath the earth’s surface. The innovative Kajiado Skies Wonder mission represents a breakthrough in addressing water scarcity challenges facing communities in the country’s arid and semi-arid regions, where traditional water sourcing methods have proved insufficient to meet growing demand.
Kenya Targets 7,000 Small Businesses in Turkana County with New Support Programme
Lodwar, 13 March 2026
The Kenyan government has launched a comprehensive business support initiative in Turkana County, targeting over 7,000 licensed micro, small and medium enterprises across the nation’s second-largest county. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen spearheaded the MSMEs Connect Turkana Edition programme in Lodwar on 13 March 2026, following strategic meetings between county and national government officials. The programme represents a joint collaboration between Turkana County Government and the State Department of Co-operatives, aiming to unlock economic potential in the 77,000-square-kilometre northwestern region. Turkana County offers significant untapped opportunities in fisheries from Lake Turkana, agriculture, and hides processing, though many local traders require capacity building to access reliable markets. The initiative specifically addresses challenges faced by entrepreneurs in a region hosting Kakuma and Kalobeyei refugee camps, home to 25 different nationalities, whilst building upon existing county funding mechanisms including the Biashara Fund and Youth Fund.
Visually Impaired People in Kenya's Largest Rural County Gain Digital Skills for Economic Independence
Lodwar, 13 March 2026
The Kenya Society for the Blind has launched digital literacy training in Turkana County, Kenya’s second-largest region, empowering visually impaired residents with technology skills for economic opportunities. This groundbreaking initiative, supported by the UK Digital Access Programme, introduces participants to accessible platforms for communication and income generation. County officials propose expanding the programme to include refugee and pastoralist communities across regional borders, potentially transforming digital inclusion across East Africa’s most remote areas.
US Military Strikes in Somalia Leave Civilians Dead as Counter-Terrorism Operations Intensify
Mogadishu, 13 March 2026
American airstrikes targeting al-Shabaab militants have surged under the Trump administration, but Somali civilians are paying the ultimate price. Local human rights organisations report mounting casualties amongst innocent populations caught between US forces and extremist groups. While Somali officials credit American military support with dismantling key militant infrastructure, the human cost continues to escalate. Rights groups are demanding greater transparency and accountability for errant strikes that have shattered communities across the Horn of Africa, highlighting the complex challenge of conducting counter-terrorism operations without harming the very people they aim to protect.
Africa's Housing Crisis Could Unlock Massive Economic Growth, Leaders to Discuss Solutions
Nairobi, 13 March 2026
African heads of state will gather in Nairobi from 8-10 April to explore how housing development can drive continental economic transformation. With nearly two-thirds of Africa’s population expected to live in urban areas by 2050, the Second Africa Urban Forum will address chronic housing shortages affecting millions whilst positioning construction and infrastructure as key job creation sectors across the continent.
Elite Forces Launch Aggressive Gun Seizure Operation in Kenya's Turkana Region
Turkana West, 13 March 2026
Kenya’s Special Operations Group has initiated a controversial security crackdown in Turkana County, forcing residents into mandatory public meetings where suspected illegal gun owners are named publicly. The elite paramilitary unit gave communities a three-day ultimatum to surrender weapons as part of Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift, which began in February 2023. Local residents report being physically compelled to attend these gatherings, with some allegedly beaten for delays. The operation targets the volatile Turkana-West Pokot border region, where banditry has plagued communities for decades. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen warned that the crackdown would be ‘painful for profiled bandits and their sponsors’, emphasising that ‘no one is untouchable’. The initiative follows successful disarmament efforts in neighbouring Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, and West Pokot counties, where over 1,000 firearms have been recovered, bringing unprecedented calm to the historically troubled North Rift region.