Massive blaze & explosion reported in the Embakasi area of Nairobi. The fire from gas explosion in Kenya killed 2 and injured at least 165. Kenyan firefighters battle massive blaze. Watch to know more!

Kenya: Fire from gas explosion in Nairobi kills 2, injures at least 165

A gas explosion at an unlicensed cooking gas-filling plant in Kenya’s capital on Thursday night killed at least three people and injured 270 others, according to authorities in the East African country.

Nairobi: Kenyan firefighters battle massive blaze, at least 3 dead from explosion

Nairobi: Fire from gas explosion in Kenya kills 3, injures at least 270

The death toll due to the raging Israel-Hamas war is nearing 11,000 at the time of filing The Capitals this week, and is set to rise further with no ceasefire in sight. The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is back in West Asia.&nbsp;On Nov 5, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/blinken-makes-surprise-west-bank-visit-meets-palestinian-president-abbas-655424">Blinken&nbsp;met the Palestine Authority President Mahmoud Abbas</a> in Ramallah — the de-facto administrative capital of Palestinian territories, and thus&nbsp;a step towards the resumption of US-mediated dialogue towards ceasefire.

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/11/05/391323-succession-2023-11-05t180317089.jpg?imwidth=1920" />

The previous such effort failed last time when Blinken was to ensure a four-way summit between the US President Joe Biden and the leaders of Egypt, Jordan, Palestine Authority.

Biden had then <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spotlight-on-washingtons-waning-political-capital-after-gaza-hospital-blast-sinks-bidens-jordan-summit-648187">returned from West Asia</a> after meeting Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the leaders in Tel Aviv.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Unlike the war in Ukraine, in Gaza, there is no impasse. Israeli troops know in and out of Gaza Strip, having left it just 18 years ago in 2005.&nbsp;Reports in Israeli media suggest that a forward-plan has been prepared if any attempt for ceasefire fails. Washington wants Gaza in Palestine Authority's control, once&nbsp;— or if (and that is a big if)&nbsp;— Israel manages to dismantle Hamas, as is its stated goal.&nbsp;

This is all you need to know from the capitals of Israel and the United States. Here's what else you need to know.&nbsp;

<h2>Beijing, China</h2>

<img alt="China's Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu arrive for the Beijing Xiangshan Forum on October 30 | Reuters" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="39a5018f-d3b4-477c-b70b-b1fe5287cedd" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2858%29_0.png" />

China's Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu arrive for the Beijing Xiangshan Forum on October 30 | Reuters

Delegations from more than&nbsp;100 countries met&nbsp;at a Beijing military forum where Washington was slammed by the host Beijing&nbsp;— apart from Moscow&nbsp;— as a global agent of instability.&nbsp;"The Western policy of steady escalation of the conflict with Russia carries the threat of a direct military clash between nuclear powers, which is fraught with catastrophic consequences,"&nbsp;Russia’s defence minister, Sergei Shoigu said. The view was echoed by&nbsp;Zhang Youxia,&nbsp;the vice chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, who accused&nbsp;"some countries" of "deliberately creating turbulence and interference in other countries’ internal affairs".&nbsp;

The Xiangshan Forum is usually&nbsp;hosted by China’s defence minister but occurred without one as, Li Shangfu, was fired last week without explanation following a nearly two-month absence.&nbsp;

<h2>Nairobi, Kenya</h2>

<img alt="Britain's King Charles sits on the beach with community elders during a visit to the Kuruwitu Marine Conservation Reserve as part of his state visit to Kenya" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="85783a23-3de1-4131-b72d-2f32e907d725" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2859%29_2.png" />

Britain's King Charles sits on the beach with community elders during a visit to the Kuruwitu Marine Conservation Reserve as part of his state visit to Kenya | Reuters

The colonial-era abuses committed in the name of Elizabeth II, then the Queen of England, came back to demand their place in history this week. King Charles III faced scrutiny for his reluctance to offer restitution or a comprehensive apology. He met with families and representatives of Kenya's independence movement, attempting to address these concerns in Nairobi.&nbsp;

Kenyans expressed disappointment in King Charles's "greatest sorrow and deepest regret" statement regarding colonial atrocities committed by British forces, considering it insufficient. President William Ruto described Britain's colonial suppression of Kenya's freedom movement as "monstrous in its cruelty."

The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) maintains that during the 1952–1960 Mau Mau uprising, also known as "the emergency," approximately 90,000 Kenyans were killed or injured, with 160,000 imprisoned, many enduring torture. UN investigators noted that British colonialists also violated the human rights of hundreds of thousands in western Kenya over decades through actions like homicides, sexual assault, and land theft.

<h2>Dhaka, Bangladesh</h2>

<img alt="Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina | Reuters" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a5a02cd4-084e-409c-a53d-09a4aee8db0c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2860%29_1.png" />

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina | Reuters

Nineteen. That's the number of reported assassination attempts the world's longest-serving female head of the state, Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has reportedly faced so far. But in the recent past, armed supporters of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have clashed with the security forces. The BNP has vowed to boycott the election as they had in 2014 and 2018 unless a caretaker government&nbsp;— just like the one which has been formed in Pakistan before scheduled February elections&nbsp;— is formed by Hasina's government.&nbsp;

But all is not well as Hasina suggests. More than 100,000 people took to the streets in the latest protest against Sheikh Hasina over the weekend.

The western media has reported that the country has taken "an authoritarian turn" under Hasina and her Awami League party; a charge Hasina's party has denied.&nbsp;

The last two elections were condemned by the United States, European Union and others for irregularities, including stuffed ballot boxes.

She won 84 per cent and 82 per cent of the vote&nbsp;respectively.

Hasina told TIME magazine she is confident that Bangladesh will elect her again in January polls.&nbsp;

Bangladesh is the largest single contributor to United Nations peacekeepers and regularly joins exercises with the US Indo-Pacific Command.

Under Hasina, Bangladesh has gone from struggling to feed its people to a food exporter with a GDP rising from $71 billion in 2006 to $460 billion in 2022, making it South Asia’s second largest economy after India.

Having already won more elections than Britain's Margaret Thatcher or India's Indira Gandhi, Hasina is determined that she will win again.&nbsp; 
 
"I am confident that my people are with me."

The death toll due to the raging Israel-Hamas war is nearing 11,000 at the time of filing The Capitals this week, and is set to rise further with no ceasefire in sight.

The death toll due to the raging Israel-Hamas war is nearing 11,000 at the time of filing The Capitals this week, and is set to rise further with no ceasefire in sight. The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is back in West Asia. On Nov 5, Blinken met the Palestine Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah — the de-facto administrative capital of Palestinian territories, and thus a step towards the resumption of US-mediated dialogue towards ceasefire. The previous such effort failed last time when Blinken was to ensure a four-way summit between the US President Joe Biden and the leaders of Egypt, Jordan, Palestine Authority. Biden had then returned from West Asia after meeting Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the leaders in Tel Aviv. Unlike the war in Ukraine, in Gaza, there is no impasse. Israeli troops know in and out of Gaza Strip, having left it just 18 years ago in 2005. Reports in Israeli media suggest that a forward-plan has been prepared if any attempt for ceasefire fails. Washington wants Gaza in Palestine Authority's control, once — or if (and that is a big if) — Israel manages to dismantle Hamas, as is its stated goal. This is all you need to know from the capitals of Israel and the United States. Here's what else you need to know. Beijing, China China's Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu arrive for the Beijing Xiangshan Forum on October 30 | Reuters Delegations from more than 100 countries met at a Beijing military forum where Washington was slammed by the host Beijing — apart from Moscow — as a global agent of instability. "The Western policy of steady escalation of the conflict with Russia carries the threat of a direct military clash between nuclear powers, which is fraught with catastrophic consequences," Russia’s defence minister, Sergei Shoigu said. The view was echoed by Zhang Youxia, the vice chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, who accused "some countries" of "deliberately creating turbulence and interference in other countries’ internal affairs". The Xiangshan Forum is usually hosted by China’s defence minister but occurred without one as, Li Shangfu, was fired last week without explanation following a nearly two-month absence. Nairobi, Kenya Britain's King Charles sits on the beach with community elders during a visit to the Kuruwitu Marine Conservation Reserve as part of his state visit to Kenya | Reuters The colonial-era abuses committed in the name of Elizabeth II, then the Queen of England, came back to demand their place in history this week. King Charles III faced scrutiny for his reluctance to offer restitution or a comprehensive apology. He met with families and representatives of Kenya's independence movement, attempting to address these concerns in Nairobi. Kenyans expressed disappointment in King Charles's "greatest sorrow and deepest regret" statement regarding colonial atrocities committed by British forces, considering it insufficient. President William Ruto described Britain's colonial suppression of Kenya's freedom movement as "monstrous in its cruelty." The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) maintains that during the 1952–1960 Mau Mau uprising, also known as "the emergency," approximately 90,000 Kenyans were killed or injured, with 160,000 imprisoned, many enduring torture. UN investigators noted that British colonialists also violated the human rights of hundreds of thousands in western Kenya over decades through actions like homicides, sexual assault, and land theft. Dhaka, Bangladesh Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina | Reuters Nineteen. That's the number of reported assassination attempts the world's longest-serving female head of the state, Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has reportedly faced so far. But in the recent past, armed supporters of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have clashed with the security forces. The BNP has vowed to boycott the election as they had in 2014 and 2018 unless a caretaker government — just like the one which has been formed in Pakistan before scheduled February elections — is formed by Hasina's government. But all is not well as Hasina suggests. More than 100,000 people took to the streets in the latest protest against Sheikh Hasina over the weekend. The western media has reported that the country has taken "an authoritarian turn" under Hasina and her Awami League party; a charge Hasina's party has denied. The last two elections were condemned by the United States, European Union and others for irregularities, including stuffed ballot boxes. She won 84 per cent and 82 per cent of the vote respectively. Hasina told TIME magazine she is confident that Bangladesh will elect her again in January polls. Bangladesh is the largest single contributor to United Nations peacekeepers and regularly joins exercises with the US Indo-Pacific Command. Under Hasina, Bangladesh has gone from struggling to feed its people to a food exporter with a GDP rising from $71 billion in 2006 to $460 billion in 2022, making it South Asia’s second largest economy after India. Having already won more elections than Britain's Margaret Thatcher or India's Indira Gandhi, Hasina is determined that she will win again. "I am confident that my people are with me."

The Capitals: Can Sheikh Hasina sail through stormy season of Dhaka politics?

Thousands of Kenyans are protesting against multiple tax hikes. Several instances of scuffles with the police being deported tear gas was fired on the protesters as they defied a police ban to join the demonstrations. Six people have ended up losing their lives in the protests that first broke out last week.

Kenya on the boil as protests erupt against tax hikes

Now let's take a closer look at Nairobi, known as the 'green city in the sun. Situated at an altitude of 1,795 meters above sea level, this bustling metropolis boasts of a pleasant climate and numerous green spaces. Take a look.

Nairobi's biodiversity faces threats amid urban growth

Here we bring you a quick round-up of all latest news, top headlines and international breakings from all across the globe, stay tuned with Gravitas for more!

Gravitas Global Headlines: Anti-govt protests resume in Nairobi | Major cocaine bust in Portugal

The Kenyan police have launched an investigation into the death of four people suspected to have starved to death, following the commands of a controversial cult leader.

The Kenyan police have launched an investigation into the death of four people suspected to have starved to death, following the commands of a controversial cult leader. The police found 15 frail, haggard-looking parishioners on the property of the said cult leader who acted as a church pastor in the coastal area of Kilifi. The police have identified the pastor as Makenzie Nthenge who told his followers to starve themselves as a way to meet Jesus and gain a place in heaven. When the authorities found them, most of the followers could barely stand up, walk or even talk. "A contingent under the command of SCPC and SCCIO Malindi visited the scene for fact-finding. The team was able to reach few households and managed to rescue fifteen people among them six who were emaciated," read the police report. "We found them in a very bad state, others fainted on the way to hospital," a security officer told Kenya's Nation Media Group. The police said they began the operation after receiving a secret tip that 'ignorant' followers of Good News International Church were 'starving themselves to death' on the pretext that they will meet Jesus after being brainwashed by a suspect. ALSO READ | Kenya: Man poses as woman wearing 'niqab' at chess championship, nearly cheats his way through Of the 15 rescued, only 11 made it to the hospital alive. The local law enforcement agencies are now looking into reports of a mass grave in the nearby forest. There have suspicions that the controversial pastor buried his dead followers in the cemetery. "The team was unable to identify the mass grave by virtue of vast land (area) and hostile residents in the forest. It is further suspected that there are many victims in the forest land believed to belong to the suspect," the report added. Local reports stated that Nthenge was arrested last month after two children were starved to death by the parents, based on his advice. WATCH | WION Climate Tracker: People in Kenya struggle to feed their families due to drought × Previous instances of cult killing Kenya is a highly religious country and this is not the first instance when a cult leader has seemingly led their followers down an astray path. One of the most infamous cases remains the death of British woman Lutfunisa Kwandwalla who died in 2020 at the house of a spiritual leader in Mombasa. Kwandwalla resided in the city of Leicester but went to Kenya in August 2019 to visit members of her husband's family. However, she joined a controversial cult upon reaching there. Kwandwalla was to return to England after a few months but a coronavirus lockdown and travel restrictions meant that her stay was prolonged and she was pushed deeper into the cult. Her family alleged that the cult members killed her and buried the body quickly to hide evidence. Meanwhile, local officials blamed "natural causes" and no arrests were made. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Kenya: Four cult members starve to death after being told they will ‘meet’ Jesus

A truck crashed into pedestrians and motorcycle taxis near western Kenya's border with Tanzania, killing at least 10 people and injuring 10 others Saturday, authorities said.

A local police commander said the crash in the town of Migori happened along a major highway when the driver lost control of the brakes.

An operation to free people trapped under the truck was underway, and there were fears the deal toll might rise, Migori county commander Mark Wanjala said.

Two more people were reported to have been knocked across a bridge and into a river, but an attempt to rescue them had not started, Wanjala said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-climate-tracker-kenya-becomes-the-dumping-ground-for-textile-waste-528626">WATCH |&nbsp;WION Climate Tracker: Kenya becomes the dumping ground for textile waste</a>

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Witnesses told local media the truck driver honked the vehicle's horn repeatedly before the crash. The truck was carrying bags of rice toward the Isebania border town into neighbouring Tanzania.

Videos of people looting the rice while people remained trapped under the track appeared on social media.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kenya-prepares-for-fresh-protests-amid-police-ban-576153">ALSO READ |&nbsp;Kenya prepares for fresh protests amid police ban</a>

Many Kenyans travel to their rural homes during the Easter holidays, and road accidents during the busy season are common.

Police urged motorists to exercise caution and ensure vehicles were well-serviced before embarking on long drives.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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A truck crashed into pedestrians and motorcycle taxis near western Kenya's border with Tanzania, killing at least 10 people and injuring 10 others Saturday, authorities said.

A truck crashed into pedestrians and motorcycle taxis near western Kenya's border with Tanzania, killing at least 10 people and injuring 10 others Saturday, authorities said. A local police commander said the crash in the town of Migori happened along a major highway when the driver lost control of the brakes. An operation to free people trapped under the truck was underway, and there were fears the deal toll might rise, Migori county commander Mark Wanjala said. Two more people were reported to have been knocked across a bridge and into a river, but an attempt to rescue them had not started, Wanjala said. WATCH | WION Climate Tracker: Kenya becomes the dumping ground for textile waste × Witnesses told local media the truck driver honked the vehicle's horn repeatedly before the crash. The truck was carrying bags of rice toward the Isebania border town into neighbouring Tanzania. Videos of people looting the rice while people remained trapped under the track appeared on social media. ALSO READ | Kenya prepares for fresh protests amid police ban Many Kenyans travel to their rural homes during the Easter holidays, and road accidents during the busy season are common. Police urged motorists to exercise caution and ensure vehicles were well-serviced before embarking on long drives. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Kenya: Truck rams into pedestrians and taxis, killing 10 on the spot

Cancer patients undergoing Chemotherapy often lose their hair as a side effect of the treatment. A beautician in Nairobi is helping to improve Cancer patients' self-esteem with free wigs and makeovers.

Salon in Nairobi for Cancer patients | World Of Africa

We are surrounded by electronic items all the time. But, the dependence on it has given a new problem and that is e-waste. @SaroyaHem tells you how in Kenya, which struggles with some 51,000 metric tonnes of e-waste per year has found a way to tackle this problem.

Entrepreneurs in Nairobi find a way to tackle electronic waste

Laboratories in Tanzania and Nairobi are training rats to sniff out Tuberculosis. Already known for finding land mines, the rodents could now transform the way the disease is detected.

World Of Africa: Rodents sniff out Tuberculosis in Kenya and Tanzania

African leaders have declared a ceasefire in eastern DRC starting from Friday. Declaration was issued by the leaders of Congo, Rwanda and several others.

African leaders agree on ‘immediate ceasefire’ in violence-torn eastern DRC

William Ruto was sworn in as Kenya's fifth post-independence president at a pomp-filled ceremony on Tuesday, five weeks after his narrow victory in a bitterly-fought but largely peaceful election.&nbsp;

Tens of thousands of people joined regional heads of state at a packed stadium in Nairobi to watch him take the oath of office, with many spectators clad in the bright yellow of Ruto's party, and waving Kenyan flags.&nbsp;

"This moment is a moment like no other," the 55-year-old said in his inauguration speech to raucous cheers. &nbsp;

"Today, I want to thank God, because a village boy has become the president of Kenya." &nbsp;

A notoriously ambitious politician who has been deputy president since 2013, Ruto beat his rival Raila Odinga -- who had the backing of now former president Uhuru Kenyatta -- by less than two percentage points in the August 9 poll.&nbsp;

But the Supreme Court on September 5 unanimously upheld his victory, dismissing his opponents' claims of fraud and mismanagement.&nbsp;

The 55-year-old rags-to-riches businessman, who once sold chickens on the roadside, now faces a daunting task to steer a polarised country gripped by a cost-of-living crisis and punishing drought.&nbsp;

His rise to State House has been closely watched by the international community, which looks to Kenya as a reliable and stable democracy in a turbulent region.&nbsp;

"Dawn of Ruto era," trumpeted the front-page headline in The Standard newspaper, while The Star said: "Time for Ruto." &nbsp;

Several people were injured earlier as crowds tried to force their way into the stadium. Television footage showed dozens of people falling on top of one other in a crush at one entrance gate.&nbsp;

Police had urged Kenyans to watch proceedings from home after the 60,000-seat stadium was filled before sunrise.&nbsp;

'Hand of brotherhood'

Foreign allies and independent observers praised the conduct of the vote, which was largely peaceful and free of the violence that has marred past elections in the country of 50 million people.&nbsp;

Kenyatta, who in a stunning turn of events reached a pact with his longtime rival Odinga in 2018 and banished his deputy Ruto to the sidelines, had promised a smooth transfer of power.&nbsp;

He had pointedly failed to publicly congratulate his successor for several weeks, finally shaking Ruto's hand at a meeting at the presidential residence on Monday.&nbsp;

Ruto has struck a conciliatory tone, extending a "hand of brotherhood" to his rivals and their supporters after the Supreme Court decision.&nbsp;

But Ruto's new deputy Rigathi Gachagua took potshots at Kenyatta during the inauguration ceremony, saying the new administration had inherited a "dilapidated economy".&nbsp;

And Odinga turned down an invitation to attend the event, charging that the election commission did not conduct a "free and fair" poll.&nbsp;

Observers say Ruto faces a tough assignment building goodwill after the divisive political campaign that lasted well over a year and was peppered with acrimony and personal slander.&nbsp;

"This is the time to close ranks, embrace opponents and help forge a united front devoid of cheap political competition," The Standard wrote in an editorial.&nbsp;

Many Kenyans had stayed away from the ballot box, with disillusionment and economic hardship blamed for the low turnout.&nbsp;

Generous send-off

Ruto said Sunday that the East African powerhouse was "in a deep economic hole" and repeated his pledge to ease the cost of living crisis, create jobs and reduce the country's $70 billion debt mountain.&nbsp;

Playing on his humble beginnings in the Rift Valley, the multi-millionaire had cast himself as "hustler in chief" and champion for the downtrodden during his campaign.&nbsp;

Among his ambitious promises was the creation of a 50-billion shilling ($415 million) "hustler fund" to provide loans to small businesses, and a commitment to bring down prices of fuel, grain and fertiliser.&nbsp;

"Given sky-high popular expectations and an economy in dire straits, governing may well prove tougher than campaigning," the International Crisis Group (ICG) think tank warned.&nbsp;

Ruto, whose new presidential coat of arms bears his party symbol, a wheelbarrow, will get a salary of about $144,000 a year as well as all the trappings of presidential office.&nbsp;

Ruto's inauguration marks the end of Kenyatta's near decade in power, and one of the rare occasions his powerful family has not been at the apex of Kenyan politics.&nbsp;

Already one of Kenya's wealthiest citizens, he is entitled to a generous send-off under the constitution as he leaves office having served two terms, the maximum allowed. &nbsp;

The 60-year-old will receive a tax-free lump sum of $324,000 and more than $600,000 in allowances every year.&nbsp;

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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William Ruto was sworn in as Kenya's fifth post-independence president at a pomp-filled ceremony on Tuesday, five weeks after his narrow victory in a bitterly-fought but largely peaceful election.

William Ruto was sworn in as Kenya's fifth post-independence president at a pomp-filled ceremony on Tuesday, five weeks after his narrow victory in a bitterly-fought but largely peaceful election. Tens of thousands of people joined regional heads of state at a packed stadium in Nairobi to watch him take the oath of office, with many spectators clad in the bright yellow of Ruto's party, and waving Kenyan flags. "This moment is a moment like no other," the 55-year-old said in his inauguration speech to raucous cheers.  "Today, I want to thank God, because a village boy has become the president of Kenya."  A notoriously ambitious politician who has been deputy president since 2013, Ruto beat his rival Raila Odinga -- who had the backing of now former president Uhuru Kenyatta -- by less than two percentage points in the August 9 poll. But the Supreme Court on September 5 unanimously upheld his victory, dismissing his opponents' claims of fraud and mismanagement. The 55-year-old rags-to-riches businessman, who once sold chickens on the roadside, now faces a daunting task to steer a polarised country gripped by a cost-of-living crisis and punishing drought. His rise to State House has been closely watched by the international community, which looks to Kenya as a reliable and stable democracy in a turbulent region. "Dawn of Ruto era," trumpeted the front-page headline in The Standard newspaper, while The Star said: "Time for Ruto."  Several people were injured earlier as crowds tried to force their way into the stadium. Television footage showed dozens of people falling on top of one other in a crush at one entrance gate. Police had urged Kenyans to watch proceedings from home after the 60,000-seat stadium was filled before sunrise. 'Hand of brotherhood' Foreign allies and independent observers praised the conduct of the vote, which was largely peaceful and free of the violence that has marred past elections in the country of 50 million people. Kenyatta, who in a stunning turn of events reached a pact with his longtime rival Odinga in 2018 and banished his deputy Ruto to the sidelines, had promised a smooth transfer of power. He had pointedly failed to publicly congratulate his successor for several weeks, finally shaking Ruto's hand at a meeting at the presidential residence on Monday. Ruto has struck a conciliatory tone, extending a "hand of brotherhood" to his rivals and their supporters after the Supreme Court decision. But Ruto's new deputy Rigathi Gachagua took potshots at Kenyatta during the inauguration ceremony, saying the new administration had inherited a "dilapidated economy". And Odinga turned down an invitation to attend the event, charging that the election commission did not conduct a "free and fair" poll. Observers say Ruto faces a tough assignment building goodwill after the divisive political campaign that lasted well over a year and was peppered with acrimony and personal slander. "This is the time to close ranks, embrace opponents and help forge a united front devoid of cheap political competition," The Standard wrote in an editorial. Many Kenyans had stayed away from the ballot box, with disillusionment and economic hardship blamed for the low turnout. Generous send-off Ruto said Sunday that the East African powerhouse was "in a deep economic hole" and repeated his pledge to ease the cost of living crisis, create jobs and reduce the country's $70 billion debt mountain. Playing on his humble beginnings in the Rift Valley, the multi-millionaire had cast himself as "hustler in chief" and champion for the downtrodden during his campaign. Among his ambitious promises was the creation of a 50-billion shilling ($415 million) "hustler fund" to provide loans to small businesses, and a commitment to bring down prices of fuel, grain and fertiliser. "Given sky-high popular expectations and an economy in dire straits, governing may well prove tougher than campaigning," the International Crisis Group (ICG) think tank warned. Ruto, whose new presidential coat of arms bears his party symbol, a wheelbarrow, will get a salary of about $144,000 a year as well as all the trappings of presidential office. Ruto's inauguration marks the end of Kenyatta's near decade in power, and one of the rare occasions his powerful family has not been at the apex of Kenyan politics. Already one of Kenya's wealthiest citizens, he is entitled to a generous send-off under the constitution as he leaves office having served two terms, the maximum allowed.  The 60-year-old will receive a tax-free lump sum of $324,000 and more than $600,000 in allowances every year. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Ruto sworn in as Kenya's president after disputed poll

Thirty-four people died in central Kenya when their bus veered off a bridge and plunged into a river valley, local media reported on Monday.

The Daily Nation and Standard newspapers reported that the incident occurred on Sunday evening in Tharaka Nithi County, when the bus, belonging to the Modern Coast company, travelling from Meru to the port city of Mombasa veered off the Nithi Bridge and fell into the valley 40 metres below.

"Up to now, we have lost 14 women, 18 men and two girls, so the total deaths are 34. We have rescued 11 who are undergoing treatment in hospital," Tharaka Nithi County Commissioner Nobert Komora told NTV Kenya television near the crash site.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-military-in-the-air-and-at-sea-has-become-significantly-more-aggressive-us-general-mark-milley-500356">Chinese military has become significantly more aggressive: US General</a>

Nation reported Komora as saying that initial investigations showed the bus's brakes may have failed, preventing its driver from properly turning on a sharp bend at the bridge.

 
The National Transport and Safety Authority, Kenya's transport regulator, ordered all buses belonging to Modern Coast to suspend operations pending an investigation into the crash.

National Bureau of Statistics data shows 4,579 people died in road accidents in Kenya in 2021, a 15% increase from a year earlier.

Thirty-four people died in central Kenya when their bus veered off a bridge and plunged into a river valley, local media reported on Monday. The Daily Nation and Standard newspapers reported that the incident occurred on Sunday evening in Tharaka Nithi County, when the bus, belonging to the Modern Coast company, travelling from Meru to the port city of Mombasa veered off the Nithi Bridge and fell into the valley 40 metres below.

Thirty-four people died in central Kenya when their bus veered off a bridge and plunged into a river valley, local media reported on Monday. The Daily Nation and Standard newspapers reported that the incident occurred on Sunday evening in Tharaka Nithi County, when the bus, belonging to the Modern Coast company, travelling from Meru to the port city of Mombasa veered off the Nithi Bridge and fell into the valley 40 metres below. "Up to now, we have lost 14 women, 18 men and two girls, so the total deaths are 34. We have rescued 11 who are undergoing treatment in hospital," Tharaka Nithi County Commissioner Nobert Komora told NTV Kenya television near the crash site. Also read | Chinese military has become significantly more aggressive: US General Nation reported Komora as saying that initial investigations showed the bus's brakes may have failed, preventing its driver from properly turning on a sharp bend at the bridge. The National Transport and Safety Authority, Kenya's transport regulator, ordered all buses belonging to Modern Coast to suspend operations pending an investigation into the crash. National Bureau of Statistics data shows 4,579 people died in road accidents in Kenya in 2021, a 15% increase from a year earlier.

Bus plunges into Kenyan river valley, 34 people dead - Reports

Environmentalists in Kenya are racing against time as powerful developers eye chunks of the green belt. Activists are defending one of the last green spaces in the capital city of Nairobi.

United Nations condemns Kenya's proposal to weaken forest protection

Nairobi is notorious for traffic jams. According to a report, the Kenyan capital is the world's fourth-most congested city, far worse than any in the US.

A glimpse of the horror was caught on late Thursday night when the city's main highway, Mombasa Road, was jam-packed with vehicles for several hours, as a new expressway is being built on a stretch of road.

The traffic jam was reportedly made worse after a road accident, the BBC reported.

Several angry commuters vented their anger as they had to spend overnight in the massive traffic jam.

“Ridiculous that I’m getting home at 4 am after an 11-hour journey, tweeted Pauline Otsyula, a lawyer.

Others&nbsp;who left office in the evening&nbsp;said they arrived home in the early hours just in time to leave for work once again.

“It’s 1 am in the morning and at the Kyangombe road towards Mombasa road, traffic is still at standstill. Guys have resorted to parking their cars and sleeping by the roadside,” a person tweeted.

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It’s 1AM in the morning and at the Kyangombe road towards Mombasa road, traffic is still at stand still. Guys have resorted to parking their cars and sleeping by the roadside <a href="https://t.co/Z2AkQhVpY9">pic.twitter.com/Z2AkQhVpY9</a>
— Slim Bandit (@HamK_) <a href="https://twitter.com/HamK_/status/1431013315057172487?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The construction is reportedly part of the $550m road project to provide&nbsp;a fast road linking northwest cities of the capital to the main international airport.

On completion, it will stretch 27 kilometres across Nairobi. It is meant to ease traffic flows in and out of the centre of the city.

It is reportedly being financed and constructed by the China Road and Bridge Corporation and the Chinese firm would operate the highway under a public-private partnership.

The stretch of the road most affected on Thursday night connects the city centre to highly populated suburbs in the east.

(with inputs from agencies)

Nairobi is notorious for traffic jams. According to a report, the Kenyan capital is the world's fourth-most congested city, far worse than any in the US. A glimpse of the horror was caught on late Thursday night when the city's main highway, Mombasa Road, was jam-packed with vehicles for several hours, as a new expressway is being built on a stretch of road.

Nairobi is notorious for traffic jams. According to a report, the Kenyan capital is the world's fourth-most congested city, far worse than any in the US. A glimpse of the horror was caught on late Thursday night when the city's main highway, Mombasa Road, was jam-packed with vehicles for several hours, as a new expressway is being built on a stretch of road. The traffic jam was reportedly made worse after a road accident, the BBC reported. Several angry commuters vented their anger as they had to spend overnight in the massive traffic jam. “Ridiculous that I’m getting home at 4 am after an 11-hour journey, tweeted Pauline Otsyula, a lawyer. Others who left office in the evening said they arrived home in the early hours just in time to leave for work once again. “It’s 1 am in the morning and at the Kyangombe road towards Mombasa road, traffic is still at standstill. Guys have resorted to parking their cars and sleeping by the roadside,” a person tweeted. It’s 1AM in the morning and at the Kyangombe road towards Mombasa road, traffic is still at stand still. Guys have resorted to parking their cars and sleeping by the roadside pic.twitter.com/Z2AkQhVpY9 — Slim Bandit (@HamK_) August 26, 2021 × The construction is reportedly part of the $550m road project to provide a fast road linking northwest cities of the capital to the main international airport. On completion, it will stretch 27 kilometres across Nairobi. It is meant to ease traffic flows in and out of the centre of the city. It is reportedly being financed and constructed by the China Road and Bridge Corporation and the Chinese firm would operate the highway under a public-private partnership. The stretch of the road most affected on Thursday night connects the city centre to highly populated suburbs in the east. (with inputs from agencies)

Commuters spend overnight in enormous traffic jam in Kenya’s Nairobi

Nine people, including two Chinese giot killed and two others were injured on Thursday after a crane collapsed at construction site in Nairobi. Workers were trying to dismantle the crane when it came crashing down, ZJCC, the Chinese counstruction company behind the project said.

Those dead include seven Kenyans and two Chinese. Two others got injured.

The cause of the collapse was not immediately clear.

Eyewitnesses said they heard people screaming as the crane slammed into the ground.

"We were having lunch when we heard things falling and thought part of the building was coming down," 27-year-old construction worker Michael Odhiambo told AFP.

"When we got there, we found a crane had snapped and tumbled down," he said, adding that one of the workers managed to escape with his life thanks to a safety harness.

Josephine Matere, a food hawker, described seeing the green crane swing wildly as people desperately clung to it, their colleagues watching in horror.

"They were screaming and watching their colleagues fall," she said, showing a video of the incident.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agency)

Nine people, including two Chinese giot killed and two others were injured on Thursday after a crane collapsed at construction site in Nairobi. Workers were trying to dismantle the crane when it came crashing down, ZJCC, the Chinese counstruction company behind the project said.

Nine people, including two Chinese giot killed and two others were injured on Thursday after a crane collapsed at construction site in Nairobi. Workers were trying to dismantle the crane when it came crashing down, ZJCC, the Chinese counstruction company behind the project said. Those dead include seven Kenyans and two Chinese. Two others got injured. The cause of the collapse was not immediately clear. Eyewitnesses said they heard people screaming as the crane slammed into the ground. "We were having lunch when we heard things falling and thought part of the building was coming down," 27-year-old construction worker Michael Odhiambo told AFP. "When we got there, we found a crane had snapped and tumbled down," he said, adding that one of the workers managed to escape with his life thanks to a safety harness. Josephine Matere, a food hawker, described seeing the green crane swing wildly as people desperately clung to it, their colleagues watching in horror. "They were screaming and watching their colleagues fall," she said, showing a video of the incident. (With inputs from agency)

Crane collapse in Nairobi claims nine lives

Chisel and hammer in hand, this artist carves out a design. From tribal figures to African wildlife, the finished results are popular keepsakes for tourists visiting Kenya. But amid a pandemic, the demand for these objects has plummeted.

Tourist industry sees trickle of post-pandemic recover

Inside a rundown building in Kariobangi lies a boxing dojo reserved almost exclusively for women and girls, who train under the watchful eye of coach Alfred Analo Anjere, founder of BoxGirls Kenya. In 14 years, more than 3,000 girls and women have taken up the martial art at the centre, many of them to learn self-defense and protect themselves from men.

Boxing proves a lifeline for women from Nairobi slums

After receiving multiple death threats due to her campaign against the development of wetlands in a national park, a prominent environment activist has been shot dead near her home in Kenya.&nbsp;

Joannah Stutchbury, who was 67, was shot at 10 pm local time on Thursday as she returned to her home on the outskirts of Nairobi.&nbsp;

As per her friends, she had stopped her car to clear branches blocking her driveway when she was shot several times.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-african-president-says-calm-has-been-restored-to-most-places-398597">Also read |&nbsp;South African president says calm has been restored to most places</a>

Neighbours found her body in the car with the engine still running and valuables still in the vehicle. This is how it was suggested that the attack was not a robbery.

Dr Paula Kahumbu, the CEO of WildlifeDirect, a conservation NGO, was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "It is really awful. The conservation fraternity is very shaken. It is devastating".

The Kenyan president, Uhuru Kenyatta, condemned the killing. He said,&nbsp;For the longest time, Joannah has been a steadfast champion for the conservation of our environment and is remembered for her relentless efforts to protect Kiambu forest from encroachment".

(With inputs from agencies)

After receiving multiple death threats due to her campaign against the development of wetlands in a national park, a prominent environment activist has been shot dead near her home in Kenya.

After receiving multiple death threats due to her campaign against the development of wetlands in a national park, a prominent environment activist has been shot dead near her home in Kenya. Joannah Stutchbury, who was 67, was shot at 10 pm local time on Thursday as she returned to her home on the outskirts of Nairobi. As per her friends, she had stopped her car to clear branches blocking her driveway when she was shot several times. Also read | South African president says calm has been restored to most places Neighbours found her body in the car with the engine still running and valuables still in the vehicle. This is how it was suggested that the attack was not a robbery. Dr Paula Kahumbu, the CEO of WildlifeDirect, a conservation NGO, was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "It is really awful. The conservation fraternity is very shaken. It is devastating". The Kenyan president, Uhuru Kenyatta, condemned the killing. He said, For the longest time, Joannah has been a steadfast champion for the conservation of our environment and is remembered for her relentless efforts to protect Kiambu forest from encroachment". (With inputs from agencies)

Environment activist shot dead outside Nairobi home

Somalia's foreign minister has invited Kenya to reopen its embassy in Mogadishu in a push to resume full diplomatic ties, in a note seen by AFP on Sunday.

Kenya's mission has been shut since December when&nbsp;Somalia&nbsp;broke off relations after Nairobi hosted the leadership of Somaliland, a breakaway state not recognised by the central government in Mogadishu.

The Kenyan ambassador was expelled and Mogadishu recalled its envoy from Nairobi.

On May 6,&nbsp;Somalia&nbsp;said it had restored diplomatic ties with Kenya, which looked forward to "further normalisation".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-surprise-move-kenya-suspends-flights-from-somalia-384548">Also read |&nbsp;In surprise move, Kenya suspends flights from Somalia</a>

Somalia's Foreign Minister Abdirizak Mohamed wrote in a&nbsp;note dated Saturday: "In the spirit of good neighbourliness, the Federal Republic of&nbsp;Somalia&nbsp;calls on the Republic of Kenya to reopen its diplomatic mission in&nbsp;Somalia, and the Federal Government of&nbsp;Somalia&nbsp;will reciprocally reopen its embassy in Kenya.

"The resumption of full diplomatic relations will be a positive start to the commencement of bilateral discussions between the two countries," the minister said in the note addressed to Kenya's foreign minister.

The foreign ministry in Nairobi did not respond to AFP requests for comment on Sunday.

Somalia&nbsp;has long bristled over what it calls Kenya's meddling in regions over its border, while Nairobi has accused Mogadishu of using it as a scapegoat for its own political problems.

The neighbours have also engaged in a long-running territorial dispute over a stretch of the Indian Ocean claimed by both nations which are believed to hold valuable deposits of oil and gas, and have sought international arbitration over the matter.

The row over which nation controls access to the lucrative deposits escalated in early 2019 after&nbsp;Somalia&nbsp;decided to auction off oil and gas blocks in a disputed maritime area, prompting Kenya to recall its ambassador.

Somalia's foreign minister has invited Kenya to reopen its embassy in Mogadishu in a push to resume full diplomatic ties, in a note seen by AFP on Sunday. Kenya's mission has been shut since December when Somalia broke off relations after Nairobi hosted the leadership of Somaliland, a breakaway state not recognised by the central government in Mogadishu.

Somalia's foreign minister has invited Kenya to reopen its embassy in Mogadishu in a push to resume full diplomatic ties, in a note seen by AFP on Sunday. Kenya's mission has been shut since December when Somalia broke off relations after Nairobi hosted the leadership of Somaliland, a breakaway state not recognised by the central government in Mogadishu. The Kenyan ambassador was expelled and Mogadishu recalled its envoy from Nairobi. On May 6, Somalia said it had restored diplomatic ties with Kenya, which looked forward to "further normalisation". Also read | In surprise move, Kenya suspends flights from Somalia Somalia's Foreign Minister Abdirizak Mohamed wrote in a note dated Saturday: "In the spirit of good neighbourliness, the Federal Republic of Somalia calls on the Republic of Kenya to reopen its diplomatic mission in Somalia, and the Federal Government of Somalia will reciprocally reopen its embassy in Kenya. "The resumption of full diplomatic relations will be a positive start to the commencement of bilateral discussions between the two countries," the minister said in the note addressed to Kenya's foreign minister. The foreign ministry in Nairobi did not respond to AFP requests for comment on Sunday. Somalia has long bristled over what it calls Kenya's meddling in regions over its border, while Nairobi has accused Mogadishu of using it as a scapegoat for its own political problems. The neighbours have also engaged in a long-running territorial dispute over a stretch of the Indian Ocean claimed by both nations which are believed to hold valuable deposits of oil and gas, and have sought international arbitration over the matter. The row over which nation controls access to the lucrative deposits escalated in early 2019 after Somalia decided to auction off oil and gas blocks in a disputed maritime area, prompting Kenya to recall its ambassador.

Somalia asks Kenya to reopen embassy in Mogadishu

Kenya&nbsp;said on Thursday it had told the United Nations it will&nbsp;shut&nbsp;by&nbsp;June&nbsp;2022&nbsp;two&nbsp;camps&nbsp;holding over 430,000&nbsp;refugees&nbsp;who fled from wars in the East and Horn of Africa, adding it planned to repatriate some and give others residency.

The interior ministry made the announcement on Twitter about five weeks after ordering the closure of the Dadaab and Kakuma refugee&nbsp;camps&nbsp;and giving the United Nations&nbsp;two&nbsp;weeks to present a plan to carry this out.

Kenya's President Uhuru&nbsp;Kenyatta and&nbsp;U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR) chief Filippo Grandi met on Thursday in Nairobi and a joint team will be formed to finalize and implement a road map toward the closure of the&nbsp;camps, the&nbsp;UN and&nbsp;Kenyan government said in a joint statement on Thursday.

Kenya&nbsp;and the UNHCR "agree that refugee&nbsp;camps&nbsp;are not a long-term solution to forced displacement" and are committed to working together to find alternative solutions in line with the Global Compact on&nbsp;Refugees, the statement read.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kenya-high-court-blocks-closure-of-refugee-camps-housing-400000-people-376248">Kenya high court blocks closure of refugee camps housing 400,000 people</a>

One of the&nbsp;two&nbsp;refugee&nbsp;camps&nbsp;in northern&nbsp;Kenya, Dadaab, close to the sensitive border with war-wracked Somalia, was set up in 1991. In 2011, amid famine and chaos in Somalia, it was the world's largest camp.

Thursday's announcement appeared to be the decisive step by&nbsp;Kenya&nbsp;after years of discussion about closing Dadaab.

"Among the precursory activities in (the government's) roadmap is repatriation of&nbsp;refugees&nbsp;to countries of origin and socio-economic integration of some of them through Work/Residence Permits (in&nbsp;Kenya)," the tweet read.

Legal challenges could follow. Earlier this month, a&nbsp;Kenyan court ruled against the closure of the&nbsp;camps.

Authorities in Nairobi first announced their intention to&nbsp;shut&nbsp;the Dadaab camp back in 2016, citing national security concerns over infiltration by militants from the Somalia-based Islamist group al Shabaab.

Relations between&nbsp;Kenya&nbsp;and Somalia have deteriorated badly in the past year since Mogadishu cut diplomatic ties with Nairobi, accusing it of interfering in its internal affairs.

Kenya&nbsp;contributes troops to the African Union peacekeeping force deployed in Somalia to curb the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab that seeks to topple the government. In a sign of the tense relationship, Somalia said in January it had lost confidence in&nbsp;Kenyan troops serving in the peacekeeping mission.

Kenya said on Thursday it had told the United Nations it will shut by June 2022 two camps holding over 430,000 refugees who fled from wars in the East and Horn of Africa, adding it planned to repatriate some and give others residency.

Kenya said on Thursday it had told the United Nations it will shut by June 2022 two camps holding over 430,000 refugees who fled from wars in the East and Horn of Africa, adding it planned to repatriate some and give others residency. The interior ministry made the announcement on Twitter about five weeks after ordering the closure of the Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps and giving the United Nations two weeks to present a plan to carry this out. Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta and U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR) chief Filippo Grandi met on Thursday in Nairobi and a joint team will be formed to finalize and implement a road map toward the closure of the camps, the UN and Kenyan government said in a joint statement on Thursday. Kenya and the UNHCR "agree that refugee camps are not a long-term solution to forced displacement" and are committed to working together to find alternative solutions in line with the Global Compact on Refugees, the statement read. Also read | Kenya high court blocks closure of refugee camps housing 400,000 people One of the two refugee camps in northern Kenya, Dadaab, close to the sensitive border with war-wracked Somalia, was set up in 1991. In 2011, amid famine and chaos in Somalia, it was the world's largest camp. Thursday's announcement appeared to be the decisive step by Kenya after years of discussion about closing Dadaab. "Among the precursory activities in (the government's) roadmap is repatriation of refugees to countries of origin and socio-economic integration of some of them through Work/Residence Permits (in Kenya)," the tweet read. Legal challenges could follow. Earlier this month, a Kenyan court ruled against the closure of the camps. Authorities in Nairobi first announced their intention to shut the Dadaab camp back in 2016, citing national security concerns over infiltration by militants from the Somalia-based Islamist group al Shabaab. Relations between Kenya and Somalia have deteriorated badly in the past year since Mogadishu cut diplomatic ties with Nairobi, accusing it of interfering in its internal affairs. Kenya contributes troops to the African Union peacekeeping force deployed in Somalia to curb the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab that seeks to topple the government. In a sign of the tense relationship, Somalia said in January it had lost confidence in Kenyan troops serving in the peacekeeping mission.

Kenya tells UN it will shut two camps with 410,000 refugees by June 2022

The raging state of the&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;pandemic is India is a&nbsp;wake-up&nbsp;call&nbsp;for&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;that its governments and citizens must not let their guards down, the&nbsp;African Union's disease control agency warned on Thursday.

African nations generally do not have sufficient numbers of health care workers, hospital beds, oxygen supplies, and the continent of 1.3 billion would be even more overwhelmed than India if cases surged in a similar way, said John Nkengasong, head of the&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="India records biggest-ever surge of 386,452 COVID-19 cases, 3498 deaths in a day">India records biggest-ever surge of 386,452 COVID-19 cases, 3498 deaths in a day</a>

"We are watching with total disbelief...What is happening in India cannot be ignored by our continent," he told reporters.

Nkengasong urged&nbsp;Africans to wear masks and avoid large gatherings, warning: "We cannot and should not find ourselves in (India's) scenario because of the very fragile nature of our health systems."

The AU will convene a meeting with all&nbsp;African ministers of health on May 8, Nkengasong said, to "put everybody on alert".

India, with 1.35 billion people, has a similar population size to the&nbsp;African continent, yet&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;has even weaker health systems, and unlike India does not manufacture significant quantities of drugs or vaccines, he added.

Heeding public health guidance is critical in&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;at the moment because the continent's rollout of&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;vaccines is hindered by the crisis in India, Nkengasong said.

The bulk of the vaccines supplied so far to&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;via the global vaccine-sharing facility COVAX have been AstraZeneca shots manufactured by the Serum Institute of India. India suspended its exports of the shot in March to cope with rising domestic demand.

It remains unclear when exports will resume, Nkengasong said on Thursday, warning the situation in India could impact the predictability of&nbsp;Africa's vaccine rollout "for the weeks and perhaps months to come".

Africa&nbsp;could benefit from additional supplies if two Chinese-made vaccines secure approval from the World Health Organisation next week, a WHO&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;official said.

"If we have more vaccines that have been approved for WHO pre-qualification, we know that more of these candidates can enter into our continent without any further issues," Phionah Atuhebwe told an online weekly briefing.

Africa&nbsp;recorded nearly 76,000 new&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;infections from April&nbsp;19-25, a 8% decline from the previous week, according to&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;CDC data.

India reported more than 379,000 new&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;cases and 3,645 new deaths on Thursday alone. It was the highest number of deaths reported in a single day in the world's second most populous country since the start of the pandemic.

The raging state of the COVID-19 pandemic is India is a wake-up call for Africa that its governments and citizens must not let their guards down, the African Union's disease control agency warned on Thursday.

The raging state of the COVID-19 pandemic is India is a wake-up call for Africa that its governments and citizens must not let their guards down, the African Union's disease control agency warned on Thursday. African nations generally do not have sufficient numbers of health care workers, hospital beds, oxygen supplies, and the continent of 1.3 billion would be even more overwhelmed than India if cases surged in a similar way, said John Nkengasong, head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Also read: India records biggest-ever surge of 386,452 COVID-19 cases, 3498 deaths in a day "We are watching with total disbelief...What is happening in India cannot be ignored by our continent," he told reporters. Nkengasong urged Africans to wear masks and avoid large gatherings, warning: "We cannot and should not find ourselves in (India's) scenario because of the very fragile nature of our health systems." The AU will convene a meeting with all African ministers of health on May 8, Nkengasong said, to "put everybody on alert". India, with 1.35 billion people, has a similar population size to the African continent, yet Africa has even weaker health systems, and unlike India does not manufacture significant quantities of drugs or vaccines, he added. Heeding public health guidance is critical in Africa at the moment because the continent's rollout of COVID-19 vaccines is hindered by the crisis in India, Nkengasong said. The bulk of the vaccines supplied so far to Africa via the global vaccine-sharing facility COVAX have been AstraZeneca shots manufactured by the Serum Institute of India. India suspended its exports of the shot in March to cope with rising domestic demand. It remains unclear when exports will resume, Nkengasong said on Thursday, warning the situation in India could impact the predictability of Africa's vaccine rollout "for the weeks and perhaps months to come". Africa could benefit from additional supplies if two Chinese-made vaccines secure approval from the World Health Organisation next week, a WHO Africa official said. "If we have more vaccines that have been approved for WHO pre-qualification, we know that more of these candidates can enter into our continent without any further issues," Phionah Atuhebwe told an online weekly briefing. Africa recorded nearly 76,000 new COVID-19 infections from April 19-25, a 8% decline from the previous week, according to Africa CDC data. India reported more than 379,000 new COVID-19 cases and 3,645 new deaths on Thursday alone. It was the highest number of deaths reported in a single day in the world's second most populous country since the start of the pandemic.

India's COVID-19 emergency is a wake-up call to Africa: African Union health chief

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