#ASDailyScoop: #Kenyan police hand over four Chinese nationals suspected of killing a fellow to #Ethiopian police

According to the police, the suspects fled to Kenya after the alleged killing of the victim, Fu Hui, at a Chinese restaurant at the 5th floor of Tolosa Legesee building located in Meskel Flower area at the capital Addis Abeba. They were subsequently apprehended in
Kenya.

Federal police National Interpol Director, Tsegaye Haile, said that the four suspects: Huang Zhipeng, Liv Jie, Wang Ming, and Chao Fu Xiuzaong were apprehended after coordinated information exchange between the police in Ethiopia and Kenya within 24 hours after the Ethiopian federal police issued international Interpol “red notice.”

https://addisstandard.com/asdailyscoop-kenyan-police-hand-over-four-chinese-nationals-suspected-of-killing-a-fellow-to-ethiopian-police/?fbclid=IwAR02mmoDARulXC0BI3P6QNB-m1YxCEtXPUPRWFbBo9Z13mxT8QqvTjxMkQY

#Ethiopia: Safaricom Ethiopia services will be available to 25% of the population by April 2023

#Kenyan telecoms provider Safaricom will launch its Ethiopian network in the north-eastern city of #DireDawa in August, the first stage of a phased national roll-out that will include 24 other sites by April 2023.

The staggered launch will make Safaricom’s services available to 25% of Ethiopia’s 110 million-strong population by the end of the financial year, according to Matthew Harrison-Harvey, Safaricom Ethiopia’s chief external affairs and regulatory officer.

“Of course we want to achieve more than that, and that’s what we’re focusing on,” Matthew Harrison-Harvey told reporters in #AddisAbeba. "We are starting in #DireDawa because that is the closest place to being ready & then we will be opening in other cities including Addis Abeba in the next few months."

https://www.theafricareport.com/221131/ethiopia-safaricom-services-will-be-available-to-25-of-the-population-by-april-2023/

#Kenyan traders buy #Ethiopian miraa for #Somalia market on high costs

The exporters are also paying $5 (Sh609) as airfreight and handling charges per kilo once the consignment is delivered to Mogadishu.

Nyambene Miraa Trade Association (Nyamita) chairman Kimathi Munjuri said it has become untenable for traders to continue sourcing the stimulant locally.

“At least seven percent of the total allocated quota to the Somali market by Kenyan traders is being procured in Ethiopia as our business people avoid the high cost of doing business locally,” he said.

https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/markets/commodities/kenyan-traders-buy-ethiopian-miraa-for-somalia-high-costs-4020022

News: #Kenyan General leads joint #Ethiopia peace monitoring mission as #US. hails positive step

Maj. Gen. Stephen Radina from Kenya will be leading the long-awaited African Union Monitoring, Verification and Compliance Mechanism (AU-MVCM) that was officially launched in Mekelle, the capital city of Tigray regional state on Thursday 29 December.

The US State department hailed the decision as “another important step toward securing lasting peace for the people of northern Ethiopia” and pledged to stand ready to support its implementation.

“The United States stands ready to support the AU-MVCM and full implementation of the cessation of hostilities agreement (COHA), which includes disarmament of Tigray People’s Liberation Front (#TPLF) combatants, withdrawal of #Eritrean forces, unimpeded humanitarian access, resumption of essential services, and implementation of transitional justice,” the state department said.

“The joint mission to be led by Maj. Gen. Stephen Radina from Kenya was formed as part of the signed implementation deal between the Federal Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) finalized in Nairobi on 22nd December 2022,” said the office of former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.

https://addisstandard.com/news-kenyan-general-leads-joint-ethiopia-peace-monitoring-mission-as-u-s-hails-positive-step/

#Ethiopia: In the face of #drought, a roof over our heads is one less problem

In #Oromia, tucked in the southern region of Ethiopia, 63-year-old Boneya watches as his children play with toys crafted from dried leaves and sticks.

“I can’t believe we’ve been here for three years now. This is the life my children know,” he says.

Seven years ago, his hometown of #Moyale, close to the #Kenyan border, was engulfed in intercommunal conflict, pushing them to flee some 37 kilometers into Oromia. Since then, they have been living in a makeshift tent they constructed using local materials.

Being displaced had its challenges, but this worsened for the father of 13 since the drought hit the region. More than half a million people were displaced by what is now the worst drought to ever hit the country in the past 40 years.

https://storyteller.iom.int/stories/face-drought-roof-over-our-heads-one-less-problem

News: New cross-border #Cholera outbreak kills five in #Moyale town, vicinity areas

By Medihane Ekubamichael

A new cholera outbreak since the last two weeks has so far claimed the lives of five people in Moyale town, in the Ethio-#Kenyan border.

Borena Zone, Moyale town Health Office Head, Boru Huka confirmed to #AddisStandard the death of the five people from the outbreak so far; two of them died in the Cholera Treatment Center (CTC) at Moyale town, while the three others were reported to have died dead before reaching the CTC.

According to Boru, the case has been rising with up 15 cases per day. The number of confirmed cases has now reached of 50 and the patients are receiving isolated treatment at the CTC.

Abdireshid Ibrahim Aden, #Dawa zone disaster risk management coordinator from the #Somali region side, however told #Addis_Standard that they are waiting for the confirmation of the cases from samples sent to Hawassa, and that there was death report yet. The zone shares Moyale town as administrative seat with #Oromia region’s Borena zone.

https://addisstandard.com/news-new-cross-boundary-cholera-outbreak-kills-five-in-moyale-border-town-vicinity-areas/

Feature: #Ethiopian plastic surgeon earns praise by #Kenyan hospital

Dr. Medhanit Demeke Feyissa, Ethiopian plastic surgeon, earns praise for her performance of a 6-hour surgery in Kenya's Tenwek hospital.

A boy with a shattered face was brought to the hospital after a motorcycle accident. Her team and Dr. Medhanit performed a 6-hour maxillofacial surgery, successfully reconstructing the boy’s face.

“Dr. Medhanit’s passion for her work and the welcoming environment at Tenwek Hospital has brought her peace amidst the challenges of being a doctor. Her multifaceted personality shines through her love for both medicine and the arts,” said the statement by the hospital. “Her dedication to serving patients at Tenwek Hospital is genuinely admirable, and her positive impact on the community is felt every day.”

https://addisstandard.com/feature-ethiopian-plastic-surgeon-earns-praise-by-kenyan-hospital/

#Kenyan court paves way for lawsuit alleging #Facebook played role in fueling #Ethiopia's #Tigray conflict

*A Kenyan court on Thursday granted petitioners leave to serve Meta in California, U.S., after they failed to trace the social media giant’s office locally. It emerged that while Meta has business operations in Kenya, it doesn’t have a physical office, as its local employees work remotely.

*The decision lays the groundwork for the beginning of a lawsuit filed in December last year by Kenyan rights group Katiba Institute, and Ethiopian researchers Fisseha Tekle and Abrham Meareg. Meareg’s father, professor Meareg Amare Abrha, was killed during the Tigray War after posts on Facebook doxed and called for violence against him, the lawsuit alleges.

*The petitioners seek to compel Meta to stop viral hate on Facebook, ramp up content review at the moderation hub in Kenya, and to create a $1.6 billion compensation fund.

https://techcrunch.com/2023/04/28/kenyan-court-paves-way-for-lawsuit-alleging-facebook-played-role-in-fuelling-ethiopias-tigray-conflict/

#Ethiopia Business: National Bank Governor meets #Kenyan, #Moroccan banking executives; discuss participation, potential entry

Governor of the National bank of Ethiopia (NBE), Mamo Mihretu, met today with Kenyan and Moroccan banking and financial executives to discuss potential entry and participation in Ethiopia’s financial service industry, NBE said.

Governor Mamo with Andrew Wambari Kairu, Group Chairman of KCB—the largest commercial bank in Kenya, the second-biggest bank by assets, “to discuss participation in Ethiopia financial service industry.”

The Governor has also “met with the management of Attijariwafa Bank Group – a leading Moroccan banking and financial group, to discuss potential entry in the Ethiopian financial service sector,” NBE said.

Governor Mamo’s meeting with the Kenyan and Moroccan banking executives came a day after Solomon Desta, NBE vice governor, told media that the central bank “…will give three to five” banking licenses to foreign investors in the next five years.

https://addisstandard.com/business-national-bank-governor-meets-kenyan-moroccan-banking-executives-discuss-participation-potential-entry/

Ethiopians rank second in Schengen Visa applications, following Kenyans

Ethiopian nationals emerged as the second-highest applicants for Schengen visas in 2022, second only to Kenyans. Last year, a total of 21,099 #Ethiopian individuals submitted applications for Schengen visas, allowing travel to 27 European countries. However, 28.9% of these applications were rejected. This implies that approximately 11 visas were granted for every 100,000 Ethiopian applicants, with approximately one positive response for every 8,714 applicants.

According to the data from Schengenvisainfo.com, #Kenyan nationals accounted for almost one-third of all visa applications in the Eastern #African region for 2022, with a total of 48,892 applications. Although the majority of applications from Kenyans were approved (114,282), the rejection rate for Kenyans slightly exceeded the regional average at 24%.

In contrast, #South_Sudan, #Mauritius, and #Eritrea recorded the lowest number of visa applications, with each country submitting fewer than 2,000 applications in 2022. Overall, the total number of visa applications filed by nationals from the Eastern African region reached 153,757 last year, as reported by Schengenvisainfo.com.

https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/kenyans-were-top-visa-applicants-from-eastern-africa-region-in-2022/

#Kenyan Cult Leader Paul Mackenzie Charged with 191 Murders

Paul Mackenzie, a cult leader in Kenya, has been charged with murder after the discovery of more than 400 bodies buried in a remote forest in the country's eastern region. Survivors and families revealed Mackenzie's alleged encouragement of fasting among his followers as a means to "go see Jesus."

"I'm still scared of him," shared one survivor when asked about Mackenzie, highlighting the lasting impact of his alleged actions. Neema, a former follower, detailed the worsening conditions in the forest, stating, "The preaching stopped... we only wait to meet Jesus."

Changawa Mangi, a village elder, described how villagers gradually realized the severity of Mackenzie's activities, leading to efforts to rescue those trapped in the forest. Despite Mackenzie's denial of forcing anyone to starve, evidence suggests otherwise. A BBC analysis of his sermons reveals references to followers sacrificing their lives, contributing to the grim reality uncovered in the forest.

Francis Wanje, a concerned father, shared his anguish over the loss of his grandchildren and the slow response from law enforcement. As Mackenzie and his associates await trial, families affected by the tragedy continue to endure uncertainty and grief, with the identification process of the victims prolonging their suffering.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-68214749

#Safaricom #Ethiopia set to outpace #Kenyan operations

Safaricom's Ethiopian subsidiary, launched just two years ago, is on track to surpass the company's long-established Kenyan operations in several key metrics within the next few years. This growth is fueled by an aggressive network expansion and strategic focus on tapping into the vast Ethiopian market potential.

Within 15 months of commercial rollout, Safaricom Ethiopia has already acquired over 4 million customers, deployed 2,200 sites across 33 cities, and achieved 33% population coverage. In comparison, the Kenyan unit has built 6,300 base stations over two decades. Significant capital investments were made in the Ethiopian unit last year, highlighting the company's commitment.

With Ethiopia's population more than twice that of Kenya and a sizeable unbanked population, Safaricom sees opportunities to scale mobile financial services like M-Pesa.

https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/financial-standard/article/2001490914/safaricom-ethiopia-set-to-surpass-kenyan-operations

#Ethiopia considers reversing #Somaliland recognition plan amid regional backlash

Ethiopia is considering scrapping a plan to recognize Somaliland amid international pressure to defuse regional tensions over the proposal, sources told Bloomberg. In January, landlocked Ethiopia signed an initial deal to become the first nation to recognize Somaliland's sovereignty in exchange for 50-year access to the Gulf of Aden.

The MOU triggered an uproar in neighboring countries, with #Somalia saying it would "defend its territorial integrity" and #Egypt and other nations urging caution. During recent talks in Nairobi with #Kenyan President William Ruto, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed his willingness to "step back" from the deal's most controversial elements in an effort to restore relations with Somalia, said the people who asked not to be identified as they're not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

Ethiopian officials privately told foreign officials that the country may be willing to "drop its recognition" of Somaliland, according to five foreign officials who were briefed on #Addis_Abeba's stance. Ruto also raised the matter in a meeting with Somalian President Hassan Sheikh, who was visiting Kenya at the same time as Abiy.

While Ethiopia hasn't officially withdrawn from the Somaliland deal, with Abiy keen on coastal access, major donors warn the pact could ignite conflict in an unstable region. Somalia deems it "illegal" and an "annexation." The #US and #UN caution it may allow al-Shabaab militants to exploit the situation for recruitment.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-03-08/ethiopia-may-scrap-somaliland-recognition-amid-regional-pressure

#US accuses #Kenyan officials of corruption in contract awards

American companies are facing hurdles in #Kenya as top government officials demand bribes, warns the US trade office. The recently released report highlights corruption's adverse impact on foreign investment.

According to the Office of the US Trade Representative, American businesses encounter difficulties securing Kenyan government contracts due to officials seeking bribes. The report indicates that contracts primarily go to foreign firms willing to pay such bribes, posing a significant barrier for American enterprises.

Authors emphasize that rampant corruption risks deterring future investment from entities averse to corrupt practices. Cleophas Malala, Kenya’s ruling party secretary-general, acknowledges systemic issues but assures ongoing efforts by President William Ruto to combat corruption.

https://www.voanews.com/a/us-accuses-kenyan-officials-of-corruption-in-contract-awards/7558547.html

#Kenyan retailers ready to pounce as #Ethiopia to open up market

Kenyan companies are buzzing with excitement after Ethiopia announced plans to further open its retail and wholesale trade market to foreign investors.

This move by Ethiopia represents a golden opportunity for Kenyan firms looking to expand in the region, experts say.

The Ethiopian government has introduced reforms allowing foreign companies to participate in previously restricted sectors, including export, import, wholesale, and retail trade.

“This opens up endless possibilities for both African and rest of the world brands to set up,” said Retail Trade Association of Kenya Chief Executive Wambui Mbarire in an interview.

“Kenya’s position as Africa’s second largest formal retail market may just be up for grabs as the competition for new markets by international brands intensifies. However, a lot depends on whether this will open the locks that have previously kept many out.”

Ms Mbarire said this is also an opportunity for local brands to strengthen their internal structures and when ready venture into these new markets.

“This will open doors for exporting Kenya-made fast-moving consumer goods, pushing up our manufacturing numbers,” she said. https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/business/article/2001494128/kenyan-retailers-ready-to-pounce-as-ethiopia-to-open-up-market

#Kenyan President Ruto set to make history in as committee makes special request to #US congress

President William Ruto is poised to make history during his upcoming visit to the United States after the Foreign Affairs Committee formally requested Speaker of the House Mike Johnson to extend an invitation for President Ruto to address a joint session of Congress later this month.

In a letter dated 30 April, 2024, the Committee respectfully urged Speaker Johnson to invite President Ruto to address Congress during his official visit.

The invitation aims to underscore the significance of Kenya-US relations, emphasizing Kenya's pivotal role as one of Africa's most dynamic economies and a key trading partner with the United States under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (#AGOA).

https://www.kdrtv.co.ke/politics/president-ruto-set-to-make-history-in-as-commitee-makes-special-request-to-us-congress/

#Safaricom eyes Sh19bn debt in #Ethiopia money

Safaricom PLC is planning to raise up to $150 million (Sh19.6 billion) in local currency debt in Ethiopia once the country's securities exchange becomes operational in the third quarter of 2024. This amount translates to approximately 8.6 billion Ethiopian Birr at the current exchange rate, which the company intends to raise through the issuance of local currency-denominated bonds starting from September.

Safaricom's CFO Dilip Pal stated that while going public via listing may not be feasible for Safaricom's Ethiopia subsidiary at present, the company is closely monitoring opportunities in the debt market for capital raising. Mr Pal expressed the company's interest in the emerging bond market, indicating that their financing needs could range from $100 to $150 million equivalent, which they may raise over time rather than in a single instance.

Recently, Safaricom PLC has intensified efforts to reduce its exposure to foreign currency-denominated debt, due to the significant depreciation of frontier market currencies such as the #Kenyan shilling and the Ethiopian Birr. This depreciation negatively impacts companies' performance by increasing finance costs.

https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/corporate/companies/safaricom-eyes-sh19bn-debt-in-ethiopia-money--4629558

Big win for #Kenyan banks as #Ethiopia removes last hurdle for foreign lenders

Ethiopia has proposed new banking laws that would finally liberalize ownership rules and allow foreign lenders like #KCB Group and #Equity Bank to establish full operations in the country for the first time.

The move is in a push to attract overseas capital into the sector. The draft proclamations announced by the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) on Friday and seen by Financial Standard would permit foreign banks to set up subsidiaries or branches locally or take up to 30 per cent stakes in existing Ethiopian banks. 

All foreign banking operations would fall under the regulatory purview of NBE, according to the proposals by the regulator. The changes mark a significant shift after decades of State dominance over Ethiopia’s banking industry.

https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/health/financial-standard/article/2001497378/big-win-for-kenyan-banks-as-ethiopia-removes-last-hurdle-for-foreign-lenders

#Kenyan president fires ministers after anti-tax protests

Kenyan President William Ruto has dismissed with "immediate effect" all his ministers and the attorney-general, following the recent deadly protests that led to the withdrawal of an unpopular tax bill.

Ruto said the dismissals came after "reflection, listening to Kenyans, and after holistic appraisal of my cabinet".

He stated he will now "consult widely in order to set up a broad-based government".

The dissolution does not affect the deputy president, who can't legally be fired, and the prime cabinet secretary who is also the foreign affairs minister.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c886g5evlxjo

#Kenyan activists urge rally despite ban on #Nairobi protests

Activists in Nairobi are calling for a rally in Uhuru Park on Thursday after police banned demonstrations in the city center. This comes amid ongoing youth-led protests, sparked by proposed tax hikes, which have led to dozens of deaths. President William Ruto has since withdrawn the tax hikes, but protests continue.

The police announced the ban late Wednesday, citing infiltration by malicious elements. "No demonstrations will be permitted in the Nairobi Central Business District and its surroundings until further notice," said acting National Police Chief Douglas Kanja. Authorities cited credible intelligence suggesting criminal groups plan to disrupt the protests, jeopardizing public safety.

Rights groups have accused police of excessive force, with Kenya's National Commission for Human Rights reporting 39 deaths and 32 abductions since June 18. Earlier this week, police used tear gas on smaller protests.

Despite the ban, activists like Boniface Mwangi insist that the constitution guarantees the right to protest. Posters circulating online urge demonstrators to gather in Uhuru Park before marching to State House.

https://www.dw.com/en/kenyan-police-ban-protests-in-central-nairobi/a-69698744?maca=en-dp_newsnow_en_txt_all-35701-xml-mrss