KENYA

National Assembly Unanimously Approves IEBC Team

The National Assembly unanimously approved the appointment of  Erastus Edung  Ethekon as the  Chairperson of the  Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), along with the six commissioners. This includes Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol and Fahima Araphat Abdallah. The voting on Wednesday evening now paves the way for the reconstitution of the electoral body, about 18 months before the next general elections. The voting followed the tabling of a report from the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee that recommended that Parliament approve President William Ruto’s picks to the Commission.

(Daily Nation)

TANZANIA 

Tanzania Unanimously Passes the FY25/26 Budget

Tanzania’s Parliament has approved the Ministry of Finance’s budget for the financial year 2025/26, with a total allocation of TSh 20.1 trillion. This budget includes TSh 19.43 trillion allocated for recurrent expenditure and TSh 14.2 trillion earmarked for debt servicing. The budget also features a range of other allocations, including TSh 757.79 billion for flagship programmes and development projects. 

(The Citizen)

UGANDA

Government to Regulate Churches with New Policy

The government states it is committed to regulating all religious institutions in the country through a new policy, following reports of manipulation of followers, financial impropriety, and the dissemination of harmful doctrines. The Religious Faith Organisations Policy, initiated in 2016, has faced stiff resistance from a section of born-again church leaders in the country, who have on several occasions called for it to be shelved. This was after President Museveni in June 2015 instituted a fully-fledged Department of Religious Affairs within the Directorate of Ethics and Integrity, appointing a Director for Religious Affairs to monitor, regulate, and advise the government on the activities and operations of religious faith organisations. On June 4, 2025, the Directorate of Ethics and Integrity, Office of the President, held a pre-validation consultation meeting regarding the policy ahead of the national validation exercise scheduled for June 26, 2025. 

(Monitor)

RWANDA

New Envoy to Kenya Pledges Enhanced Ties

Rwanda’s new High Commissioner to Kenya, Ernest Rwamucyo, has pledged to strengthen relations between the two countries that boast “historic bonds of friendship and cooperation.” He made the remarks while presenting his credentials to Kenyan President William Ruto on Wednesday, June 4, in Nairobi. Rwamucyo, a seasoned diplomat, previously served as Rwanda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York. He succeeds Ambassador Martin Ngoga as Rwanda’s envoy to Kenya. In a diplomatic switch of duties, Ngoga also took over Rwamucyo’s former role at the United Nations.

(The New Times)

SUDAN

Media Forum Condemns Press Act Amendments

The Sudan Media Forum has expressed deep concern over the outcomes of a recent workshop held in Port Sudan on May 26-27, 2025, which discussed proposed amendments to the Press and Publications Act of 2009. While acknowledging efforts to develop the media environment, the Forum believes that many of the recommendations pose a significant threat to press and media freedom in Sudan, undermining the fundamental role of the fourth estate as a societal watchdog.

(Dabanga)