KENYA

Summary of Cabinet Resolutions

On January 15th, the Cabinet Dispatch announced a series of approvals that will shape Kenya’s governance and economic landscape. The Railway Amendment Bill 2024 is set to initiate new ways of running railways. The approval of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) for both national and county governments aims to streamline financial processes for more efficient fund management. The Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) initiative is set to enhance transparency in government expenditures, benefiting both suppliers and the public. The approval of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Regulations establishes clear guidelines for the planning, procurement, management, and monitoring of PPP projects. Kenya’s Sovereign Green Bond Framework has been given the green light, paving the way for alternative funding options for green and resilient investments. The Cabinet also addressed socio-economic challenges by approving the Draft Kenya Social Protection Policy 2023, designed to provide a safety net for the vulnerable. Furthermore, the Recognition of Prior Learning Policy, the establishment of the Africa Legal Support Facility, and the Memorandum to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank also formed a part of this set of approvals.

(Daily Nation)

TANZANIA

CJ calls for amendments in justice laws

The Chief Justice, Prof Ibrahim Juma, has called for major amendments to laws for the dispensation of justice to address loopholes that contribute to delays in the determination of cases. Prof Juma gave the plea yesterday at an award-giving ceremony to various stakeholders organised by the High Court of Tanzania Mediation Centre in Dar es Salaam. “There is a very big problem in our legal system. There are many processes. There are many loopholes, and unfortunately, our legal profession is built on relying on those loopholes,” the Chief Justice said.

 (Daily News)

UGANDA

Uganda opposition leader Bobi Wine is under house arrest

Ugandan opposition leader and former presidential candidate Bobi Wine said Thursday that police had surrounded his residence and put him “under house arrest” ahead of a planned protest. Opposition politicians had planned demonstrations on Thursday against the poor conditions of roads in Uganda, which is hosting two global summits in the coming days. Wine, a pop star turned politician, said police and pop stars had barred him from leaving his home in Magere, North of the capital in Kampala.

(The Citizen)

RWANDA

UK-Rwanda migration bill passes House of Commons.

New UK migration legislation that seeks to declare Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers passed the House of Commons on Wednesday, January 17, after the majority voted against any amendment to it. The bill, tabled by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, seeks to address concerns by the UK Supreme Court, which ruled that asylum seekers sent to Rwanda from the UK would risk being sent back to their countries of origin. Despite opposition from some MPs from Sunak’s Conservative Party, the bill passed the third reading in the Commons by 320 votes to 276 – a majority of 44 for the government. The next stage is the House of Lords.

(The New Times)

SUDAN

Sudan ‘suspends’ cooperation with Igad

Sudan’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday it was suspending all interactions with the regional bloc, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), presumably ending the latest peace bid to end the country’s war. The ministry, which has recently been critical of IGAD, said it would no longer cooperate with the bloc on any Sudanese issue. The announcement came just 47 hours before IGAD was due to hold an extraordinary meeting in Entebbe, Uganda, to discuss Sudan’s war.

(Daily Nation)

SOMALIA

Somalia rejects mediation bid with Ethiopia over port deal

Somalia rejected any discussions with Ethiopia about Addis Ababa’s agreement to lease a port in the breakaway region of Somaliland, as regional heads of state gathered on Thursday to try to diffuse a growing diplomatic crisis. A memorandum of understanding signed on January 1 calls for recognition of Somaliland’s independence. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not won recognition from any country, and the port lease deal, which would be a boon to landlocked Ethiopia, has enraged Somalia.

(Business Daily)