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.

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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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&nbsp;

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

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta has issued a decree to save a much-loved century-old fig tree from being cut down to make way for a Chinese-funded highway in the capital Nairobi.

Kenya's president saves fig tree from Chinese-funded highway

James Maina Mwangi thought men weren't supposed to wear colourful clothes. Mwangi, 59, dressed in yellow suit pants and jacket with a striped red, blue and yellow shirt joined by a red and yellow tie and yellow hat, said that he drew curious reactions 25 years ago when he would go out in his colorful suits. But soon enough, some began emulating him.

Kenyan fashionista aims to control the spread of COVID-19 in Nairobi

Welcome to Nairobi. Here, craving locusts means being spoilt for choice.

Nairobi has a vivid menu -- grilled locust salad, locusts in skewers, and the good old locust kebabs.

If one is really hungry, they are free to order all the above. And there is no shortage of supply.

The swarms of flying protein are in abundance in Kenya, and the inhabitants are putting them to the best use.

To this end, Icipe researcher, Chrystanus Tanga, says, "A lot more people should engage in this practice rather than shying away and thinking that it is a primitive man's food."

In all honesty, if we see it the other way, these locusts aren't shy of devouring our farmlands. So we also must not be ashamed of putting them on our chopping board.

Here, one can crush them into meals, or deep fry the locusts and serve them with tartar sauce. Or come up with your own recipe.

This is neither pandemic lunacy nor one of the many weird things happening this year.

Locusts have been chef's favourite for a long time now. Everytime they invaded a country, people were quick to catch, chop and cook them.

In 2013, Israel was going gaga over fried locusts, the winged creatures also found themselves being served as desserts.

In 2004, when locusts devastated crops in Australia, people retaliated by eating them. The gallantry was lauded by government workers.

They are sky prawns, they said. And they are free.

Soon, a cook book was released. With not one, not two -- but 20 sky prawn recipes.

The rest, they say, is history.

In the 1970s, Thailand was so smitten by locusts that researchers felt sad while calling them pests.

And maybe this is how we corroborate the saying -- when life gives you lemon, make lemonade.

And when it gives you locusts aka sky prawns... Well, make kebabs.

Welcome to Nairobi. Here, craving locusts means being spoilt for choice. Nairobi has a vivid menu -- grilled locust salad, locusts in skewers, and the good old locust kebabs.

Welcome to Nairobi. Here, craving locusts means being spoilt for choice. Nairobi has a vivid menu -- grilled locust salad, locusts in skewers, and the good old locust kebabs. If one is really hungry, they are free to order all the above. And there is no shortage of supply. The swarms of flying protein are in abundance in Kenya, and the inhabitants are putting them to the best use. To this end, Icipe researcher, Chrystanus Tanga, says, "A lot more people should engage in this practice rather than shying away and thinking that it is a primitive man's food." In all honesty, if we see it the other way, these locusts aren't shy of devouring our farmlands. So we also must not be ashamed of putting them on our chopping board. Here, one can crush them into meals, or deep fry the locusts and serve them with tartar sauce. Or come up with your own recipe. This is neither pandemic lunacy nor one of the many weird things happening this year. Locusts have been chef's favourite for a long time now. Everytime they invaded a country, people were quick to catch, chop and cook them. In 2013, Israel was going gaga over fried locusts, the winged creatures also found themselves being served as desserts. In 2004, when locusts devastated crops in Australia, people retaliated by eating them. The gallantry was lauded by government workers. They are sky prawns, they said. And they are free. Soon, a cook book was released. With not one, not two -- but 20 sky prawn recipes. The rest, they say, is history. In the 1970s, Thailand was so smitten by locusts that researchers felt sad while calling them pests. And maybe this is how we corroborate the saying -- when life gives you lemon, make lemonade. And when it gives you locusts aka sky prawns... Well, make kebabs.

When life gives you locusts, make kebabs. We don't say it, Nairobi does

Dozens of nurses and healthcare workers took a Zumba class on Sunday to boost morale before returning to work to treat COVID-19 patients.

Kenya nurses dance to boost morale amid pandemic

In Kenya, Nairobi Gurdwara is serving the hot meals to hungry amid COVID-19 crisis. Watch this video to know more.

Kenya: Nairobi Gurdwara serves hot meals to hungry amid COVID-19 crisis

A Kenyan university has apologised after it sent a memo which blamed rape victims for the assault.&nbsp;

The memo was issued on Tuesday by University of Nairobi's security department which blamed the female students of "recklessness" for the three rapes in last one year in the university.&nbsp;

<img alt="memo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d2e76523-7488-40de-9c08-b3a6bb63476d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/O4i14nBh.jpg" />

A petition was later filed which said that how a woman could be blamed for her own rape.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9BKzirgnd7/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">“...A clear case of recklessness by our female students...” “...Rape involving female students...” Those students are victims of rape not participants. No condemnation of the rapists. No mention of what the university will do in collaboration with police to ensure safety of its students. No. They, an entire institution would rather assign blame NOT on the rapists but on the victims and even expose one victims story where they assign blame to her! And then these “TIPS” y’all keep throwing around at women. Right now, where we go, what time we will go there, who we will go with, how we will get there, what we will wear etc is governed by how safe we will be and that is NOT normal neither is it OK! If men just stopped raping us, rape will stop. This is what victim shaming looks like. This is what normalization of rape looks like. And we will not stand for it. PS: I’m turning off my comments because there’s always that one tone deaf triggering person and I’m protecting my energy.</a>

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The 31-year-old, who is a rape survivor, wrote on Instagram that she was outraged that the university had no condemnation for the rapists.

Kenya's famous radio personality, Adelle Onyango, posted on Instagram: "This is what victim shaming looks like."

The vice-chancellor of the university Stephen Kiama issued an apology which said: "I have noted the memo was insensitive and does not represent the corporate values and the image of University of Nairobi, and is highly regretted".

The memo released earlier also described one of the three rapes when a drunk female student decided to walk all alone from the city centre to the hostels, in order to substantiate its point of women's fault. &nbsp;

It also suggested certain tips to women for ensuring their safety in social gatherings, which include going out with trusted friends, memorising&nbsp;important contact numbers in case they lost their phones and not leaving their drinks unattended.

Onyango, who is raising funds to launch Safe 24/7 to provide free therapy and support to rape survivors said that these advices&nbsp;to females are the part of the problem.&nbsp;

"Right now, where we go, what time we will go there, who we will go with, how we will get there, what we will wear etc is governed by how safe we will be and that is NOT normal neither is it OK!

"If men just stopped raping us, rape will stop."

Nearly 1,500 people have signed a petition Change.org petition that said misogyny that "has been time and again endorsed by the powers in play in Kenya" has to stop.

A Kenyan university has apologised after it sent a memo which blamed rape victims for the assault. The memo was issued on Tuesday by University of Nairobi's security department which blamed the female students of "recklessness" for the three rapes in last one year in the university.

A Kenyan university has apologised after it sent a memo which blamed rape victims for the assault. The memo was issued on Tuesday by University of Nairobi's security department which blamed the female students of "recklessness" for the three rapes in last one year in the university. A petition was later filed which said that how a woman could be blamed for her own rape. View this post on Instagram “...A clear case of recklessness by our female students...” “...Rape involving female students...” Those students are victims of rape not participants. No condemnation of the rapists. No mention of what the university will do in collaboration with police to ensure safety of its students. No. They, an entire institution would rather assign blame NOT on the rapists but on the victims and even expose one victims story where they assign blame to her! And then these “TIPS” y’all keep throwing around at women. Right now, where we go, what time we will go there, who we will go with, how we will get there, what we will wear etc is governed by how safe we will be and that is NOT normal neither is it OK! If men just stopped raping us, rape will stop. This is what victim shaming looks like. This is what normalization of rape looks like. And we will not stand for it. PS: I’m turning off my comments because there’s always that one tone deaf triggering person and I’m protecting my energy. A post shared by ADELLE ONYANGO (@adelleonyango) on Feb 25, 2020 at 9:24pm PST × The 31-year-old, who is a rape survivor, wrote on Instagram that she was outraged that the university had no condemnation for the rapists. Kenya's famous radio personality, Adelle Onyango, posted on Instagram: "This is what victim shaming looks like." The vice-chancellor of the university Stephen Kiama issued an apology which said: "I have noted the memo was insensitive and does not represent the corporate values and the image of University of Nairobi, and is highly regretted". The memo released earlier also described one of the three rapes when a drunk female student decided to walk all alone from the city centre to the hostels, in order to substantiate its point of women's fault. It also suggested certain tips to women for ensuring their safety in social gatherings, which include going out with trusted friends, memorising important contact numbers in case they lost their phones and not leaving their drinks unattended. Onyango, who is raising funds to launch Safe 24/7 to provide free therapy and support to rape survivors said that these advices to females are the part of the problem. "Right now, where we go, what time we will go there, who we will go with, how we will get there, what we will wear etc is governed by how safe we will be and that is NOT normal neither is it OK! "If men just stopped raping us, rape will stop." Nearly 1,500 people have signed a petition Change.org petition that said misogyny that "has been time and again endorsed by the powers in play in Kenya" has to stop.

Kenya: University apologised after issuing memo that blamed rape victims for 'recklessness'

Kioko Mwitiki, 56, estimates he has transformed thousands of tonnes of discarded metal, from supermarket trolley wheels to shredded metal from factories, into art.

Kenyan sculptor turns scrap metal into art with a message

Last week a man walked into a Nairobi car yard and paid for a luxury Mercedes with a mountain of 1,000 shilling ($10) banknotes, desperate to offload cash that within days would be worthless.

With a deadline looming before the Central Bank of Kenya bans all old edition 1,000 shilling notes, big fish with their fortunes stashed in cash are under pressure to find ways to jettison their money.

A new print of the 1,000 shilling banknote, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kenya-launches-new-bank-notes-and-retires-old-1000-shilling-banknote-to-stem-illicit-flows-223995">the largest denomination</a>, was rolled out in June, with Kenyans given to September 30 to exchange their old bills at the bank or be stuck with bundles of useless cash.

The operation is aimed at flushing out dirty money being hoarded by tax evaders, crooked businessmen and criminal groups.

Large deposits of the old notes, embossed with the image of Kenya's founding father Jomo Kenyatta, raise alarm bells at banks and require paperwork to prove their origin.&nbsp;

The central bank in June said there were roughly 218 million 1,000 shilling notes in circulation, but declined to say what proportion was being stashed as black money.&nbsp;

Kenyan economist Aly-Khan Satchu said devaluing these bills works by "taking its owners by surprise".&nbsp;

"Four months is a short period of time when you want to launder big sums of money," he said.

"People who have that money will definitely try to save what they can", he added.

Car Wash

So people are getting creative, devising schemes to quickly unload small amounts of their cash while avoiding detection by the authorities.

John, a car dealer <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/five-indian-nationals-killed-due-to-floods-in-kenya-247127">in Nairobi</a>, recalled his customer last week counting out thousands upon thousands of banknotes to purchase a luxury car worth $74,000.

"People want to get rid of their old notes, but they know very well that questions will be asked if they go put the money themselves in the bank," said John, who declined to offer his real name due to the nature of his business.

"When I go to the bank to deposit money from a car sale, people ask for the papers from the sale, sometimes even copies of emails, but it never goes further."

Other businesses are finding a lucrative side trade in washing 1,000 shilling notes through their tills -- for a bit in return.

"I was approached by a friend through another friend and we struck a deal. I get around 500,000 shillings every day to the bank together with my daily sales," said a liquor shop owner who declined to be named in Hurlingham, a district near downtown Nairobi.

"In return I get between five and 10 per cent, depending on the amount."

The amounts being deposited are below one million shillings, the threshold at which banks required detailed paperwork under a new transparency policy imposed by the central bank in June 2018.

Gentlemen's agreement

One canny businessman in western <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kenyas-high-court-unanimously-upholds-ban-on-gay-sex-221423">Kenya</a> dished out his cash in the form of small, interest-free loans of around 50,000 shillings.&nbsp;

The amounts are low, so those exchanging the old bills avoid detection, and upon returning the debt his money is cleaned into new bills.

"Nothing is written down, it is a gentleman's agreement," he said, declining to be named.

Other methods involve sinking cash into real estate or investment funds, or businesses moving large volumes of money, several businesspeople told AFP.

But it's not all underhanded and hush-hush.

One bar in the coastal city of Mombasa is offering to swap banknotes on behalf of drinkers, encouraging punters to spend big at their "Old Notes Send Off Party" being held the eve of demonetisation.

Last week a man walked into a Nairobi car yard and paid for a luxury Mercedes with a mountain of 1,000 shilling ($10) banknotes, desperate to offload cash that within days would be worthless.

Last week a man walked into a Nairobi car yard and paid for a luxury Mercedes with a mountain of 1,000 shilling ($10) banknotes, desperate to offload cash that within days would be worthless. With a deadline looming before the Central Bank of Kenya bans all old edition 1,000 shilling notes, big fish with their fortunes stashed in cash are under pressure to find ways to jettison their money. A new print of the 1,000 shilling banknote, the largest denomination, was rolled out in June, with Kenyans given to September 30 to exchange their old bills at the bank or be stuck with bundles of useless cash. The operation is aimed at flushing out dirty money being hoarded by tax evaders, crooked businessmen and criminal groups. Large deposits of the old notes, embossed with the image of Kenya's founding father Jomo Kenyatta, raise alarm bells at banks and require paperwork to prove their origin. The central bank in June said there were roughly 218 million 1,000 shilling notes in circulation, but declined to say what proportion was being stashed as black money. Kenyan economist Aly-Khan Satchu said devaluing these bills works by "taking its owners by surprise". "Four months is a short period of time when you want to launder big sums of money," he said. "People who have that money will definitely try to save what they can", he added. Car Wash So people are getting creative, devising schemes to quickly unload small amounts of their cash while avoiding detection by the authorities. John, a car dealer in Nairobi, recalled his customer last week counting out thousands upon thousands of banknotes to purchase a luxury car worth $74,000. "People want to get rid of their old notes, but they know very well that questions will be asked if they go put the money themselves in the bank," said John, who declined to offer his real name due to the nature of his business. "When I go to the bank to deposit money from a car sale, people ask for the papers from the sale, sometimes even copies of emails, but it never goes further." Other businesses are finding a lucrative side trade in washing 1,000 shilling notes through their tills -- for a bit in return. "I was approached by a friend through another friend and we struck a deal. I get around 500,000 shillings every day to the bank together with my daily sales," said a liquor shop owner who declined to be named in Hurlingham, a district near downtown Nairobi. "In return I get between five and 10 per cent, depending on the amount." The amounts being deposited are below one million shillings, the threshold at which banks required detailed paperwork under a new transparency policy imposed by the central bank in June 2018. Gentlemen's agreement One canny businessman in western Kenya dished out his cash in the form of small, interest-free loans of around 50,000 shillings. The amounts are low, so those exchanging the old bills avoid detection, and upon returning the debt his money is cleaned into new bills. "Nothing is written down, it is a gentleman's agreement," he said, declining to be named. Other methods involve sinking cash into real estate or investment funds, or businesses moving large volumes of money, several businesspeople told AFP. But it's not all underhanded and hush-hush. One bar in the coastal city of Mombasa is offering to swap banknotes on behalf of drinkers, encouraging punters to spend big at their "Old Notes Send Off Party" being held the eve of demonetisation.

Oncoming cash ban forces Kenyans to swap banknotes

All 157 people aboard an <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopian-airlines-boeing-737-plane-crashes-on-way-to-kenya-with-149-passengers-on-board-202327">Ethiopian Airlines flight</a> on route to Nairobi from Addis Ababa that crashed early Sunday have died, a spokesperson for the airline confirmed.

The airline's CEO, Tewolde Gebre Mariam, told members of the press that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/four-indians-among-those-dead-in-ethiopian-airlines-plane-crash-202378">four Indians were among the dead</a>.

External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted out the names of the victims provided by the Indian embassy in Ethiopia.

''@IndiaInEthiopia has informed me that the deceased Indian nationals are Vaidya Pannagesh Bhaskar, Vaidya Hansin Annagesh, Nukavarapu Manisha and Shikha Garg,'' Sushma Swaraj tweeted.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/IndiaInEthiopia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IndiaInEthiopia</a> has informed me that the deceased Indian nationals are Vaidya Pannagesh Bhaskar, Vaidya Hansin Annagesh, Nukavarapu Manisha and Shikha Garg. /2
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/1104782358291599365?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The Ethiopian Airlines (ET) aircraft ET 302, a Boeing 737-800 MAX, took off at 08:38 local time from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and was scheduled to arrive in Nairobi, Kenya at 10:25. It lost contact at 08:44, and crashed around Bishoftu town, some 45 kilometres from Addis Ababa.

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Rescuers have been able to retrieve some remains of the aircraft's engine and wings by 20:00.&nbsp;

The wreckage pieces were scattered in an area as large as 10,000 square meters because of the huge impact force, they said, adding that the excavation would go on overnight.

All 157 people aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight on route to Nairobi from Addis Ababa that crashed early Sunday have died, a spokesperson for the airline confirmed.

All 157 people aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight on route to Nairobi from Addis Ababa that crashed early Sunday have died, a spokesperson for the airline confirmed. The airline's CEO, Tewolde Gebre Mariam, told members of the press that four Indians were among the dead. External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted out the names of the victims provided by the Indian embassy in Ethiopia. ''@IndiaInEthiopia has informed me that the deceased Indian nationals are Vaidya Pannagesh Bhaskar, Vaidya Hansin Annagesh, Nukavarapu Manisha and Shikha Garg,'' Sushma Swaraj tweeted. @IndiaInEthiopia has informed me that the deceased Indian nationals are Vaidya Pannagesh Bhaskar, Vaidya Hansin Annagesh, Nukavarapu Manisha and Shikha Garg. /2 — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) March 10, 2019 × The Ethiopian Airlines (ET) aircraft ET 302, a Boeing 737-800 MAX, took off at 08:38 local time from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and was scheduled to arrive in Nairobi, Kenya at 10:25. It lost contact at 08:44, and crashed around Bishoftu town, some 45 kilometres from Addis Ababa. × Rescuers have been able to retrieve some remains of the aircraft's engine and wings by 20:00. The wreckage pieces were scattered in an area as large as 10,000 square meters because of the huge impact force, they said, adding that the excavation would go on overnight.

Ethiopian Airlines crash: Four deceased Indians identified

Boeing 737: Lion Air, Ethiopian Airlines and the Indian connection

Just minutes after militants attacked a luxury hotel complex in Nairobi last month, the first ambulances roared up to collect wounded survivors.

Speedy medical help is taken for granted in the West, but many developing nations do not have centralised emergency command. Confusion during past attacks in Kenya cost lives.

This time, the response was far better, partly thanks to Flare, a new ride-hailing app whose ambulances were first to the dusitD2 hotel and office complex hit by Somalia's al Shabaab.

"Flare was telling us what is happening, how to position our ambulances, how to evacuate, how to ask for additional resources," said Kelvin Osano, ambulance fleet manager at the nearby private Avenue Hospital where the injured poured in.

The four gunmen and a suicide bomber killed 21 people, just around the corner from another al Shabaab attack in 2013 that took 67 lives at the Westgate shopping centre.

Back then, the medical response was "horrible," Osano said.

There was no triage at the scene. Bleeding patients were bundled into vehicles without being stabilised. A security cordon prevented ambulances from coming close to victims.

But at the hotel complex, ambulances scrambled by Flare - run by the Rescue.co company - arrived quickly after panicked calls from subscribers who had paid the 2,400 shillings ($24) annual fee. The first ambulance came within 12 minutes, and by the hour 20 were there.

Eric Ogot, a former nurse who mans the Rescue.co hotline, gave first aid by phone to office workers hiding as gunmen roamed. He helped triage patients remotely and assigned drivers. "Our job would be to try and be the calming presence," he said.

In the absence of official information, Flare's emergency number raced across Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp.

Soon, it was not just individuals or business customers calling, but relatives of the missing too.

The nearby Australian High Commission agreed to be an ambulance staging post for Flare.

Police fed Rescue.co information.

Peter Koome, a paramedic with charity St. John Ambulance, said the improved coordination, along with better training and access, certainly helped save lives.

Of 30 people badly wounded, all but two survived.

Americans Caitlin Dolkart and Maria Rabinovich founded Rescue.co in 2016. The Flare app works like ride-hailing and food-delivery services and now has tens of thousands of subscribers and 500 ambulances across Kenya.

Whereas Kenyans with an emergency are used to calling their closest hospital and ambulances often become ensnared in traffic, Flare streamlines services by monitoring ambulance locations and traffic conditions in real time. Dolkart said it hopes to expand, both around the region and into fire and security services - building on its experience at dusitD2.

Just minutes after militants attacked a luxury hotel complex in Nairobi last month, the first ambulances roared up to collect wounded survivors. Speedy medical help is taken for granted in the West, but many developing nations do not have centralised emergency command.

Just minutes after militants attacked a luxury hotel complex in Nairobi last month, the first ambulances roared up to collect wounded survivors. Speedy medical help is taken for granted in the West, but many developing nations do not have centralised emergency command. Confusion during past attacks in Kenya cost lives. This time, the response was far better, partly thanks to Flare, a new ride-hailing app whose ambulances were first to the dusitD2 hotel and office complex hit by Somalia's al Shabaab. "Flare was telling us what is happening, how to position our ambulances, how to evacuate, how to ask for additional resources," said Kelvin Osano, ambulance fleet manager at the nearby private Avenue Hospital where the injured poured in. The four gunmen and a suicide bomber killed 21 people, just around the corner from another al Shabaab attack in 2013 that took 67 lives at the Westgate shopping centre. Back then, the medical response was "horrible," Osano said. There was no triage at the scene. Bleeding patients were bundled into vehicles without being stabilised. A security cordon prevented ambulances from coming close to victims. But at the hotel complex, ambulances scrambled by Flare - run by the Rescue.co company - arrived quickly after panicked calls from subscribers who had paid the 2,400 shillings ($24) annual fee. The first ambulance came within 12 minutes, and by the hour 20 were there. Eric Ogot, a former nurse who mans the Rescue.co hotline, gave first aid by phone to office workers hiding as gunmen roamed. He helped triage patients remotely and assigned drivers. "Our job would be to try and be the calming presence," he said. In the absence of official information, Flare's emergency number raced across Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp. Soon, it was not just individuals or business customers calling, but relatives of the missing too. The nearby Australian High Commission agreed to be an ambulance staging post for Flare. Police fed Rescue.co information. Peter Koome, a paramedic with charity St. John Ambulance, said the improved coordination, along with better training and access, certainly helped save lives. Of 30 people badly wounded, all but two survived. Americans Caitlin Dolkart and Maria Rabinovich founded Rescue.co in 2016. The Flare app works like ride-hailing and food-delivery services and now has tens of thousands of subscribers and 500 ambulances across Kenya. Whereas Kenyans with an emergency are used to calling their closest hospital and ambulances often become ensnared in traffic, Flare streamlines services by monitoring ambulance locations and traffic conditions in real time. Dolkart said it hopes to expand, both around the region and into fire and security services - building on its experience at dusitD2.

Kenya's ambulance 'Uber' at heart of siege rescue

Al-Shabaab: How Somalia's Al-Qaeda-linked terror outfit terrorises Africa

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said Wednesday that Islamists who stormed an upmarket hotel complex, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/cctv-gunmen-enter-nairobi-hotel-at-least-15-killed-in-attack-190625">killing 14 people</a>, had been "eliminated" after an almost 20-hour siege in which hundreds of civilians were rescued.

At least one suicide bomber blew himself up and gunmen engaged security forces in numerous shootouts during the assault on the DusitD2 compound, which includes a 101-room hotel, spa, restaurant and office buildings.

The attack was claimed by the Al-Qaeda-linked Somali group Al-Shabaab, which has repeatedly targeted Kenya since it sent its army into Somalia in October 2011 to fight the jihadist group.

The sight of armed Islamists and terrified civilians fleeing reminded Kenyans of a 2013 Shabaab attack on the Westgate mall left 67 dead in a siege that stretched out over four days and led to sharp criticism of the security response.

In a televised address, Kenyatta said some 700 civilians had been evacuated throughout the attack at DusitD2, with the swift and effective work from security forces drawing widespread praise in local media.

"I can confirm that... The security operation at Dusit complex is over and all the terrorists eliminated," Kenyatta said in a televised address to the nation.

"As of this moment, we have confirmation that 14 innocent lives were lost to the... Terrorists, with others injured." Police sources and a mortuary official had previously reported 15 dead.

It was not immediately clear how many attackers there were in total. 
CCTV footage broadcast on local media showed four black-clad, heavily armed men entering the complex on Tuesday afternoon.

At least one of them blew himself up at the start of the attack. A police source said two attackers had been shot dead Wednesday morning after a prolonged shootout.

"The two have red bandanas tied around their forehead and bullets strapped around their chest with several magazines each," the senior police officer said.

"Each had an AK47 which has been secured." - Briton, American among dead.

The attack began at about 3 pm&nbsp;on Tuesday afternoon, with a loud blast followed by gunfire and rapid calls for help spreading on Twitter.

Kenyan police chief Joseph Boinnet said the attack began with an explosion targeting three cars in the parking lot and a suicide bombing in the foyer of the Dusit hotel.

Among the dead was an American citizen, a State Department official said.

A mortuary official said there were also 11 Kenyan victims, a British victim, one with no papers as well as an unidentified torso of a male adult.

It was a tormented night for families of those trapped as they waited outside the hotel, with sporadic gunfire ringing out, and the rescue of dozens of people at about 3:30 am.

Explosions and gunfire intensified from dawn until police managed to secure the complex mid-morning.

As the first explosion and gunfire rang out in the leafy Westlands suburb, hundreds of terrified office workers barricaded themselves in the complex while others fled.

Distraught family members arrived at a nearby mortuary on Wednesday,&nbsp;where they said they had not been permitted to view the bodies.

"My sister is not in any of the hospitals and the last time we spoke she was a bit calm but suddenly she started crying and shouting and I could hear gunshots and her phone remained on but she wasn't speaking," said a woman who gave her name as Njoki.

"We have no doubt her body is here. Let them allow us in", she said, weeping.

A number of heavily-armed foreign forces, who appeared to be from embassies based in Nairobi, were at the scene alongside Kenyan security officers.

One survivor rescued from the building told a local television station the attackers were "very confident; they were people who knew what they were doing".

John Maingi said there had been "a flash of lights and a loud bang" at the Secret Garden restaurant where he works.

"When I peeped outside I saw a human leg which has been cut off. We hid in the room and then some police officers rescued us," he said.

Reuben Kimani, a barista who was rescued after several hours trapped inside the hotel, said he recognised one of the attackers as a client.

"I knew one of them because he had a big scar on one of his hands," he said. "I saw them. They shot six of my friends, four didn't die but two succumbed."&nbsp;

An editorial in the Daily Nation newspaper said the attack was a stark reminder that Kenya's security challenges were far from over.

The last major attack in the country took place in 2015, when Shabaab killed 148 people at the university in Garissa, eastern Kenya.

Since then sporadic attacks have targeted security forces mostly in the remote northeastern parts of the country.

"Just when we thought that things were calm, the gangs unleashed mayhem. For Kenyans, the chilling reality is that the attacks are not ceasing," read the editorial.

In its statement, Shabaab noted the attack came exactly three years after its fighters overran a Kenyan military base in Somalia, killing some 200 soldiers.

The government has refused to give a toll or disclose details about the attack.&nbsp;

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said Wednesday that Islamists who stormed an upmarket hotel complex, killing 14 people, had been "eliminated" after an almost 20-hour siege in which hundreds of civilians were rescued.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said Wednesday that Islamists who stormed an upmarket hotel complex, killing 14 people, had been "eliminated" after an almost 20-hour siege in which hundreds of civilians were rescued. At least one suicide bomber blew himself up and gunmen engaged security forces in numerous shootouts during the assault on the DusitD2 compound, which includes a 101-room hotel, spa, restaurant and office buildings. The attack was claimed by the Al-Qaeda-linked Somali group Al-Shabaab, which has repeatedly targeted Kenya since it sent its army into Somalia in October 2011 to fight the jihadist group. The sight of armed Islamists and terrified civilians fleeing reminded Kenyans of a 2013 Shabaab attack on the Westgate mall left 67 dead in a siege that stretched out over four days and led to sharp criticism of the security response. In a televised address, Kenyatta said some 700 civilians had been evacuated throughout the attack at DusitD2, with the swift and effective work from security forces drawing widespread praise in local media. "I can confirm that... The security operation at Dusit complex is over and all the terrorists eliminated," Kenyatta said in a televised address to the nation. "As of this moment, we have confirmation that 14 innocent lives were lost to the... Terrorists, with others injured." Police sources and a mortuary official had previously reported 15 dead. It was not immediately clear how many attackers there were in total. CCTV footage broadcast on local media showed four black-clad, heavily armed men entering the complex on Tuesday afternoon. At least one of them blew himself up at the start of the attack. A police source said two attackers had been shot dead Wednesday morning after a prolonged shootout. "The two have red bandanas tied around their forehead and bullets strapped around their chest with several magazines each," the senior police officer said. "Each had an AK47 which has been secured." - Briton, American among dead. The attack began at about 3 pm on Tuesday afternoon, with a loud blast followed by gunfire and rapid calls for help spreading on Twitter. Kenyan police chief Joseph Boinnet said the attack began with an explosion targeting three cars in the parking lot and a suicide bombing in the foyer of the Dusit hotel. Among the dead was an American citizen, a State Department official said. A mortuary official said there were also 11 Kenyan victims, a British victim, one with no papers as well as an unidentified torso of a male adult. It was a tormented night for families of those trapped as they waited outside the hotel, with sporadic gunfire ringing out, and the rescue of dozens of people at about 3:30 am. Explosions and gunfire intensified from dawn until police managed to secure the complex mid-morning. As the first explosion and gunfire rang out in the leafy Westlands suburb, hundreds of terrified office workers barricaded themselves in the complex while others fled. Distraught family members arrived at a nearby mortuary on Wednesday, where they said they had not been permitted to view the bodies. "My sister is not in any of the hospitals and the last time we spoke she was a bit calm but suddenly she started crying and shouting and I could hear gunshots and her phone remained on but she wasn't speaking," said a woman who gave her name as Njoki. "We have no doubt her body is here. Let them allow us in", she said, weeping. A number of heavily-armed foreign forces, who appeared to be from embassies based in Nairobi, were at the scene alongside Kenyan security officers. One survivor rescued from the building told a local television station the attackers were "very confident; they were people who knew what they were doing". John Maingi said there had been "a flash of lights and a loud bang" at the Secret Garden restaurant where he works. "When I peeped outside I saw a human leg which has been cut off. We hid in the room and then some police officers rescued us," he said. Reuben Kimani, a barista who was rescued after several hours trapped inside the hotel, said he recognised one of the attackers as a client. "I knew one of them because he had a big scar on one of his hands," he said. "I saw them. They shot six of my friends, four didn't die but two succumbed." An editorial in the Daily Nation newspaper said the attack was a stark reminder that Kenya's security challenges were far from over. The last major attack in the country took place in 2015, when Shabaab killed 148 people at the university in Garissa, eastern Kenya. Since then sporadic attacks have targeted security forces mostly in the remote northeastern parts of the country. "Just when we thought that things were calm, the gangs unleashed mayhem. For Kenyans, the chilling reality is that the attacks are not ceasing," read the editorial. In its statement, Shabaab noted the attack came exactly three years after its fighters overran a Kenyan military base in Somalia, killing some 200 soldiers. The government has refused to give a toll or disclose details about the attack.

Nairobi hotel attack over after 20-hour siege, 14 dead: President Kenyatta

Two explosions and gunshots heard in upscale hotel in Nairobi

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