Kenya

CJ Martha Koome security withdrawn

Chief Justice Martha Koome’s security detail has reportedly been withdrawn, alongside a reduction in officers assigned to the Judiciary Police Unit. In a letter addressed to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja, the Chief Justice condemned the decision, terming it a violation of the Constitution’s principle of separation of powers.

Nation.Africa

Uganda

Uganda allocates 15% procurement budget to special interest groups

The government of Uganda, through the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA), has initiated plans to allocate 15% of procurement budget to special interest groups across all ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). Speaking at a training session, PPDA Executive Director Benson Turamye added that government entities should reserve all procurement under UGX 30 million to organisations owned and managed by special interest groups, with the threshold for local government set at UGX 10 million.

Daily Monitor

Tanzania

CCM settles for Samia, Mwinyi as presidential aspirants for 2025

Tanzania’s ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), elected President Samia Suluhu and President Hussein Ali Mwinyi as their official candidates for the Tanzania and Zanzibar presidential elections, respectively. The decision was unanimously approved by all delegates following recommendations from former President Jakaya Kikwete.

The Citizen

Rwanda

Rwanda, Türkiye ink four deals to strengthen bilateral relations

Rwanda and Türkiye signed four cooperation agreements on January 23 to strengthen bilateral ties. Presided over by Presidents Paul Kagame and Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, the agreements cover defence industries, media collaboration, civil aircraft accident investigations, and communications.  

The New Times

Ethiopia

Election bill proposes sweeping changes ahead of national vote

Officials at Ethiopia’s National Election Board (NEBE) are working to introduce a wide range of changes to the country’s election laws with less than a year and a half left before millions of Ethiopians head to the polls. Proposed changes to the Electoral, Political Parties Registration, and Elections Code of Conduct Proclamation include alterations to the scope of the law, terms of party registration, redefinition of constituencies, electorates, and election procedures, as well as new mechanisms for post-election appeals and compliance.

The Reporter

South Sudan

South Sudan shuts down social media for three months

The South Sudan government on Wednesday directed telecom firms to block access to social media sites like Facebook and TikTok as it responded to mounting revenge violence in the country. The National Communication Authority (NCA) ordered a shutdown for up to three months, effective Wednesday night.

The East African

Somalia

Ethiopia, Somalia agree to restore diplomatic ties

Ethiopia and Somalia have agreed to restore bilateral ties that were severed last year due to disagreements over a controversial memorandum of agreement on the breakaway Somaliland. Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh visited Addis Ababa and held talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

The East African