Kenya

Economics

Politics

Kenyan President William Ruto nominated several allies of former President Uhuru Kenyatta to key ministerial positions as part of a Cabinet reshuffle, Business Daily Africa reported on Dec. 19. 

Kenya: President Ruto Nominates Allies of Former President Kenyatta in Cabinet Reshuffle

The Orange Democratic Movement party, or ODM, is facing fresh internal divisions after party officials issued contradicting statements on whether to support President William Ruto's potential presidential bid in the 2027 general election, Nation reported on Dec. 5. 

Kenya: ODM Faces Fresh Internal Tensions Over Support for Ruto

Kenya's National Assembly began public hearings for several bills that aim to raise 178 billion Kenyan shillings ($1.38 billion) in new revenue, The Eastleigh Voice reported on Nov. 18.

Kenya: Public Hearings Begin for Fresh Tax Hikes

Ethiopia

Somalia

Egypt

Military & Security

Somalia's defense ministry confirmed on Nov. 8 that Ethiopian forces will not be part of the upcoming African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, or AUSSOM, which will replace the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia peacekeeping mission in January 2025, BBC Amharic reported on Nov. 10.

Somalia, Ethiopia: Somalia Officially Bars Ethiopia From New AU Mission

Former Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki was sworn in as Kenya's new deputy president, Reuters reported on Nov. 1.

Kenya: Kithure Kindiki Sworn in as Deputy President

The International Monetary Fund's (IMF) executive board approved the seventh and eighth review of Kenya's 2021 support program, Reuters reported Oct. 30. 

Kenya: IMF Approves Seventh and Eight Review of Support Program 

A three-judge bench in Kenya tasked with ruling on legal petitions contesting Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's impeachment dismissed his legal team's application for their recusal, which argued the bench lacked impartiality, Nation reported on Oct. 25. 

Kenya: Hearing on Deputy President's Impeachment Delayed Amid Legal Ping-Pong

The National Assembly approved Kenyan President William Ruto's nomination of Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki as deputy president after the Senate impeached current Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in a 54-13 vote, Reuters reported on Oct. 18. 

Kenya: High Court Blocks New Deputy President Appointment Amid Impeachment Proceedings

Assessments

South Africa

Brazil

Iran

United Arab Emirates

China

Indonesia

Russia

Moldova

India

Vehicles pass by a banner thanking outgoing Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and congratulating President-elect Prabowo Subianto and Vice President-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka ahead of their Oct. 20 inauguration in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Oct. 17, 2024.

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: An Impeachment Case in Kenya, an Inauguration in Indonesia

Mexico

Israel

Palestinian Territories

A special session of the U.N. General Assembly is held on the Palestinian bid for full membership to the United Nations at the U.N. headquarters in New York City on May 10, 2024.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

The Weekly Rundown: Mexico Ratifies a Controversial Judicial Reform, the U.N. Votes on a Palestinian Resolution

Sub-Saharan Africa

Burkina Faso

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Cote d'Ivoire

Mali

Niger

Sudan

Middle East and North Africa

Libya

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Burkina Faso's junta leader Capt. Ibrahim Traore during a welcoming ceremony at the second Russia-Africa summit in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on July 27, 2023.

Competition against the West will fuel Russia's outreach to Africa, but jihadist expansion in the Sahel will eventually force Moscow into tough policy decisions.

What the Future Holds for Russia in Africa

Media

Podcasts

What are the power dynamics and sentiment at play within Ruto's coalition?

Essential Geopolitics: Kenya's Political and Economic Outlook

Ghana

Nigeria

Uganda

United States

Venezuela

Australia

Japan

Philippines

United Kingdom

A motorcyclist looks at his phone in front of a National Electoral Council poster promoting the upcoming presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, on July 23, 2024.

Global Elections

The Weekly Rundown: An Election in Venezuela, Economic Reforms in the U.K.

Saudi Arabia

Europe

Ukraine

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during a press conference at the 75th NATO Summit in Washington, D.C., on July 11, 2024. 

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

U.S.-China Relations

U.S.-Iran Relations

Biden's exit from the U.S. presidential race will free him to pursue more aggressive action against Russia over Ukraine and increase pressure on Israel to end its war with Hamas. 

What To Expect from Biden's Foreign Policy Farewell Tour

Snapshots

Protesters participate in a nationwide rally against a controversial tax bill in downtown Nairobi, Kenya, on June 27, 2024. 

The Kenyan government axed its $2.3 billion tax plan amid mass deadly protests, but budget cuts to offset the revenue shortfall could reignite protests and potentially derail Nairobi's fiscal consolidation plans.

In Kenya, Scrapped Tax Hikes Put the Government in a Bind

Haiti

U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden pose with Kenyan President William Ruto (center), alongside his wife and children, as they arrive for a State Dinner at the White House on May 23, 2024. 

Environment, Science & Technology

Science & Technology

For Kenya, stronger ties with the U.S. could unlock new investment and diplomatic opportunities, but bilateral relations could weaken if Nairobi draws down its police deployment in Haiti, or if Trump reenters the White House.

What To Expect From Stronger U.S.-Kenya Ties

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Malawi

Tanzania

Zambia

Zimbabwe

South Korea

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (R) speaks as Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani (L), chair of the African Union, listens during a joint press conference following the 2024 Korea-Africa Summit in Goyang, South Korea, on June 4, 2024.

Energy

A recent summit highlights South Korea's commitment to expanding its role in Africa as Yoon looks to strengthen his country's technological future and geopolitical influence.

In South Korea, Yoon's Desire for Supply Chains and Prestige Points to Africa

Taiwan

Spain

Ireland

Taiwanese President-elect William Lai (C) on Jan. 13 in Taipei, Taiwan. Lai will officially begin his four-year presidency May 20.

The Weekly Rundown: Kenya's President Visits Washington, Lai Inaugurated in Taiwan

A protester burns tires during a demonstration in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on March 12, 2024, after Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced his plans to resign. 

For Kenya, sending police officers to the gang-ridden Caribbean country will likely help it boost ties with the West if the mission is a success, but it risks triggering public backlash at home.

What a Planned Police Deployment to Haiti Means for Kenya

Haitian police officers deploy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on March 9, 2024. 

The government's political transition plan is unlikely to improve the gang-ridden country's deteriorating security crisis, while the potential deployment of U.N.-backed troops may temporarily make it worse.

What's Happening in Haiti?

Kenya hugs the Indian Ocean coast just to the southwest of the Horn of Africa. Its neighbors South Sudan and Ethiopia border it to the north, Somalia to the east, Tanzania to the south and Uganda to the west. Kenya’s position in East Africa has long drawn interest from outsiders. The territory of modern-day Kenya and its neighbors has been home to robust Indian Ocean trading networks that date to antiquity. This geographic proximity to global trade combined with the broader Lake Victoria region’s strengths &mdash; which include relative cultural homogeneity and advantageous terrain for agricultural development &mdash; helped to yield stable population and economic growth.    Since it gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1963, Kenya has struggled at times to manage its diverse ethnic populations. This has resulted in intermittent riots and other forms of unrest related to grievances of various ethnic groups that believed that they were disenfranchised from the country’s political system. Post-electoral violence in 2007-08 and again in 2017 stemmed largely from Nairobi’s mismanagement of its ethnic divisions.    Nevertheless, Kenya occupies the center of gravity in East Africa. Despite Ethiopia’s massive population advantage and economic growth, it remains relatively isolated when compared with Kenya. That allows Kenya to serve as a center for East Africa’s trade, business, security and diplomatic efforts. It also remains a robust supporter of the East African Community, which is fostering closer economic and political ties among Kenya’s neighbors.    Somalia's collapse and its struggles with state-building and militancy, especially the al Shabaab group, has spawned effects that spill over its border with Kenya. Ethnic Somalis &mdash; both refugees and Kenyan citizens &mdash; have pursued an uneasy existence on Kenya's northern coast and in various camps around Nairobi. This has posed a significant challenge for Nairobi to manage, especially as the security situation in Somalia shows no signs of dramatically improving in the years ahead.

SITUATION REPORTS

Kenya: President Ruto Nominates Allies of Former President Kenyatta in Cabinet Reshuffle

Kenya: ODM Faces Fresh Internal Tensions Over Support for Ruto

Kenya: Public Hearings Begin for Fresh Tax Hikes

Somalia, Ethiopia: Somalia Officially Bars Ethiopia From New AU Mission

Kenya: Kithure Kindiki Sworn in as Deputy President

Kenya: IMF Approves Seventh and Eight Review of Support Program

Kenya: Hearing on Deputy President's Impeachment Delayed Amid Legal Ping-Pong

Kenya: High Court Blocks New Deputy President Appointment Amid Impeachment Proceedings

Forecasts

ANALYSES

SECTIONS

Explore

Subscribe

Help & Support