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Tag: Kenya

  • Ban on sexy music video raises gay rights campaign in Kenya

    Kenya’s first gay music video swiftly banned by the country’s film board shows a well-toned young man, naked apart from his underpants, leaning over his tattooed male lover in bed.

    Two pretty young women exchange kisses on a park bench, one putting a ring on the other’s wedding finger, as the vocalist sings: “I can’t change, even if I tried, even if I wanted to.”

    The song, same love, was originally recorded by American hip hop duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis during the 2012 campaign to legalise same-sex marriage in Washington State.

    A remix by Kenyan rap artist, Art Attack, set out to provoke similar debate in the conservative East African nation, where homosexual acts are punishable by up to 14 years in jail.

    “We expected that this will create controversy, we expected that a lot of people will talk about it but we didn’t expect the amount of publicity it has received,” the report said.

    “The erotic scenes were meant to show that these people also fall in love.”

    Interest in the video has been fuelled by the Kenya Film Classification Board’s (KFCB) Feb. 23 decision to ban it and ask Google Kenya to take it down.

  • Dogara seeks review of Parliamentary framework

    Dogara seeks review of Parliamentary framework

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara Tuesday said that a review of the legal framework guiding security in African parliaments has become imperative.

    Dogara warned that the existing arrangement where security was left in the hands of the sergeant- at-arms and a multiplicity of  other security agencies  cannot  guarantee security in the parliaments.

    The Speaker spoke at a pan- African conference on parliamentary security held on Abuja.

    He lamented that though the sergeant- at- arms operatives were the recognised security personnel in parliaments across the world, the system has not created enough legal powers that would enhance the performance of their duties.

    The conference brought together Clerks and Sergeant at Arms from the National and State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria, as well as their counterparts from  across 17 other African countries including  Liberia, Uganda and Kenya.

    Dogara warned that given the increasing spate of terrorism and frequent attacks on parliaments across the world, there was an urgent need to strengthen the laws to give the traditional police of the parliament enough powers to take care of security within the precincts of the parliament.

    He said, “In Libya’s post-Gaddafi, internal tensions escalated catastrophically in mid-2014, as Gunmen launched an attack on the parliament in the capital Tripoli and demanded its suspension.

    “Hours before the parliamentary suspension, members of an armed group backed by truck-mounted anti-aircraft guns, mortars and rocket fire attacked parliament, sending politicians fleeing for their lives as gunmen ransacked the legislature.

    “The Boko Haram insurgency in northeast Nigeria and attacks carried out by the group on the United Nations compound, Police Headquarters and other targets in Abuja have fueled fears of attacks on soft targets like parliament.”

    The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, only talks about Sergeant at Arms by inference.  “Section 89 (1) and (2) of the Constitution empowers the National Assembly for the purposes of any investigation under Section 88 of the Constitution to among other powers, summon any person in Nigeria to give evidence at any place or produce any document; and to also issue a warrant to compel the attendance of any person who, after having been summoned to attend, fails, refuses or neglects to do so.

    It further provides that “a summons or warrant issued under this section may be served or executed by any member of the Nigeria Police Force or by any person authorised in that behalf by the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as the case may require”.

    This implies that both Presiding Officers can authorize the Sergeant at Arms to execute Warrants or Summons issued by the National Assembly. In the botched Constitution Review exercise, the 7th National Assembly, together with over 2/3 of the State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria amended Section 89 (2) of the Constitution to empower the Sergeant-at-Arms in addition to the Nigeria Police, to execute orders of the National Assembly.

    But Dogara urged the conference to make appropriate recommendations on resolving the legal relationship between all the security Agencies.

    The Speaker expressed concern that under emergency situations at the parliament, the sergeant – at- arms  was often handicapped, particularly when the other security agencies might not be favourably disposed to taking orders from him.

    He said,” If push comes to shove, who has ultimate authority for security at the National Assembly. Can the Police override directives of the Sergeant-at-Arms especially with respect to public order and public security?

    “Can the Sergeant at arms department set up departments in conflict with the traditional duties of the Police Force and State Security Service? For instance, VIP Protection is the traditional responsibility of the Secret Service, so can the Sergeant-at-Arms set up VIP Protection Department to take over protection of Senior officials of the National Assembly?

    “Following police invasion of the National Assembly on November 20, 2014, and the withdrawal of both Police and Security details of the Speaker, is there a genuine case for VIP Protection of National Assembly Officials to be handled by the Sergeant at Arms? Are they trained for such a role? Maybe we should examine the position in other jurisdictions for guidance. ”

    He noted that restructuring and empowering the Sergeant-at-Arms would enable him  to improve on  its ability to prevent security breaches and possible attacks on the National Assembly,  parliamentary  buildings and on  legislators.

    The leadership of the National Assembly, he said, was committed to ensuring the safety of parliamentarians, employees, visitors and the property of the parliament.

  • Nigeria, Kenya as emerging consumer markets in Sub-Saharan Africa

    Nigeria, Kenya as emerging consumer markets in Sub-Saharan Africa

    • Logistics professionals eye growing middle class, but many still wary of entry

    A new survey of global logistics executives has said that consumer spending by a fast-growing middle class is as important a growth driver for Africa as mineral and resource demand.

    In the survey, which is part of the 2016 Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index, industry executives rank South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana as the most promising markets in Sub-Saharan Africa.

    Meanwhile, poor infrastructure, lack of power generation and corruption continue to pose the most risk to African economies, according to the more than 1,100 executives responding to the survey.

    Despite recent growth and surging foreign investment, Sub-Saharan Africa remains a challenging frontier for many.

    Only 21.2% of logistics industry executives surveyed said their companies have operations there. Another 12.7% said they are in the planning stages to enter African markets. More than 43% said they have no plans to set up in Africa.

    “The results show a serious disconnect between the perception of the market and actual opportunities. These are some of the world’s fastest-growing economies. Africa’s requirement for logistics services and supply chain expertise is huge and growing every day.

    “At the same time, many of the companies that need logistics to enter the market don’t know how to get started in Africa or aren’t willing to take the risk,” said Geoffrey White, CEO of Agility Africa.

    “The market is open for first movers who can navigate risk and nurture African talent. The opportunity is for those seeking to build long-term, sustainable businesses that bring world-class practices and adapt to local conditions.”

    The Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index, now in its 7th year, offers a snapshot of logistics industry sentiment and ranks the world’s 45 leading emerging markets based on their size, business conditions, infrastructure and other factors that make them attractive to logistics providers, freight forwarders, shipping lines, air cargo carriers and distributors.

    China, the world’s second-largest economy, remains the leading emerging market by a large margin. Among the countries at the top of the Index rankings this year, UAE (No. 2), India (3) and Malaysia (4) leaped over the commodity-dependent economies of Saudi Arabia (5), Brazil (6) and Indonesia (7). Rounding out the top 10 are Mexico (8), Russia (9) and Turkey (10).

    The leading markets in Sub-Saharan Africa are South Africa (No. 16) and Nigeria (17). South Africa has Africa’s most advanced logistics industry and transport infrastructure, but its economy has been hobbled by chronic power shortages, slumping commodity prices, a plunging currency and labor unrest.

    Nigeria climbed 10 spots in the 2016 Index, tying Egypt (No. 22) for the biggest gain by any country in the seven years since the Index was first published.

    Nigeria’s enormous potential has become clearer since its recent decision to update the methods by which it collects economic data. Even so, its economy is heavily reliant on oil and has been hurt by low energy prices.

    Other countries in the region fall toward the bottom of the rankings: Ethiopia (37), Tanzania (40), Kenya (43) and Uganda (45). Among countries in North Africa, Morocco ranked No. 20, trailed by Egypt (22), Algeria (30), Tunisia (36) and Libya (41).

    Other Index findings: UAE, home to the powerhouse economies of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, has the best business climate and the best ‘connectedness’, a measure of infrastructure and transport connections, of any emerging market.

    As a result, UAE ranks as the world’s No. 2 emerging market after China, even though China’s economy is 25 times larger; India’s is five times larger; and Brazil’s is six times larger.

    – UAE, Malaysia, China, Chile lead in ‘connectivity’, meaning they have the best infrastructure and transport links, along with the most efficient customs and border administration.

    – Nigeria’s size and growth suggest it should rank near Brazil (No. 6) or Mexico (8) in the overall Index. But Nigeria is no more business friendly than Venezuela and Uganda, and its weak infrastructure, transport links and customs regime puts it with Bangladesh, Ethiopia and Tanzania in ‘connectivity’.

    – Among countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Africa has the best ‘connectivity’. In North Africa, Morocco has the best business climate and connections.

    – Countries in Latin America are losing ground to other emerging markets as a result of recession and political turmoil in Brazil, the region’s biggest economy, and depressed prices for commodity exports. Of the 10 countries that slipped furthest in the Index, six are in Latin America: Peru, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela. Even so, Chile continues to be the top-ranked emerging market with GDP under $300 million.

    – Russia, hurt by Western sanctions and isolated economically since it began backing rebels in Ukraine and intervened militarily in Syria, fell from No. 7 to No. 9 in the Index. Tension with Russia and the loss of economic output in the breakaway Crimea region have hurt Ukraine, as well.

    Also, Ukraine fell four spots to No. 34.

    Other survey findings include:

    – Industry executives view oil prices and China’s economy as the leading risks to the global economy in 2016. Both represent potential threats for some Sub-Saharan economies.

    Mozambique, Uganda, Tanzania and others want to exploit huge new energy finds but are hamstrung by low prices. China, the leading buyer for African minerals and other key commodities, will buy less as its economy slows.

    – Logistics executives see ‘economic shock’ as the top risk in Asia Pacific, a sign of concern that a slowdown in China could ripple through economies and supply chains elsewhere in the region. A significant percentage (38%) said they are reassessing their China strategies. In the past, industry executives said natural disasters and corruption were the top risks in Asia.

    -The logistics industry is intrigued by the possibility that Iran could emerge from its long economic isolation as the result of an agreement to curtail its nuclear program. In the survey, Iran moved up 12 spots – from No. 27 to No. 15 – among countries with potential as major logistics markets.

    “It was a volatile year for emerging markets, and you see that in the Index. Eight of the top 10 emerging markets shifted places,” said Essa Al-Saleh, President and CEO of Agility Global Integrated Logistics.

    “Despite the turbulence, the fundamentals driving growth remain consistent – a rising middle class with spending power, progress in poverty reduction, growing populations. That’s why we are still positive on the outlook for emerging markets and see them driving global growth.”

    Transport Intelligence (Ti), a leading analysis and research firm for the logistics industry, compiled the Index.

    John Manners-Bell, Chief Executive Ti, said: “The world’s economy is still riven by instability, and emerging markets such as China and Brazil have not been immune. However others, such as Mexico, are in a far stronger position and will benefit from the economic growth experienced in the U.S. and Europe. More than ever, investors in emerging markets need to be discerning and the results of our Index are critical to providing clarity in a confusing and complex world.”

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  • WTO backs agricultural reforms

    WTO backs agricultural reforms

    The World Trade Organisation (WTO) reached deals on agricultural export subsidies, food aid and other issues at the week end, capping a ministerial conference in the Kenyan capital where rich and poor countries had been split over the path of trade reform.

    Members said the Nairobi deal had drawn a line under years of stalemate over the direction of global trade negotiations.

    “Our work in Nairobi marks a turning point for the World Trade Organisation,” U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman said in a statement.

    The negotiations “started a new phase in the WTO’s evolution” and showed “what is possible when the multilateral trading system comes together to solve a problem.”

    The Geneva-based WTO, which invited Liberia and Afghanistan to become its 163rd and 164th members, has been trying and largely failing to agree on a worldwide package of trade reforms.

    The disagreement had been on since a meeting in Doha in 2001.

    At that meeting, the group had hatched an ambitious plan for knocking down trade barriers.

    The four-day Nairobi conference was extended by a final non-stop 24-hour negotiation between the major trading powers.

    The powers agreed on a package that included phasing out agricultural export subsidies and restricting agricultural export credits.

    But they agreed to disagree about the potential for success in the Doha round of talks.

    Both India and the United States, which wanted to move on from Doha, had had to give ground, an EU official said.

    India had insisted on completing the existing Doha talks before any further negotiation.

    The compromise means that more issues can be loaded onto the negotiating agenda, the EU official said.

     

  • Business School International Scholarships for India, Kenya, Nigeria and Vietnam, 2016

    Leeds University Business School is offering international scholarships for Nigerian undergraduate students who have demonstrated sustained academic excellence and have the potential to make a significant contribution to Business School life. Student will receive an award of £2,500 per year for each standard year of study towards the cost of fees, to study in the University. The deadline for applications for 2016 entry is 31 May 2016.

    Scholarships are awarded in the field of Accounting and Finance, Business Analytics, Business Economics, Economics, Economics and Finance, Economics and Management, Human Resource Management, International Business, International Business and Economics, International Business and Finance, International Business and Marketing, Management, Management and the Human Resource and Management with Marketing.

    Scholarship can be taken at: UK

    Eligibility: Student must first submit your study application form via UCAS and be in receipt of a UCAS Personal ID Number. Applications without a valid UCAS Personal ID Number will be rejected.

    -Student must be holding a conditional or unconditional offer for a place on a Leeds University Business School undergraduate degree course commencing in 2016. (For a full list of eligible programmes please visit our website: http://business.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/)

    -To be considered for a scholarship you must complete the supporting statement section of this form addressing all the areas highlighted in the guidance notes.

    -Scholarships will be awarded conditional on you exceeding the academic grade conditions as stated in your study offer letter.

    Scholarship Description: Leeds University Business School offers a number of scholarships to celebrate exceptional international candidates. These are awarded to candidates who have demonstrated sustained academic excellence and the potential to make a significant contribution to Business School life. There are up to two scholarships available.

    Selection Criteria: Applications will be considered on the basis of the application form and be awarded conditional upon you exceeding the conditions of your offer.

    Notification: The award of the scholarship will be confirmed by the Admissions team by Friday 2 September 2016.

    How to Apply: The completed form should be submitted to the Undergraduate Admissions Office by email.

    Read more: Leeds University Business School International Scholarships Scholarship Positions 2015 2016

    Home Apri 2019

  • How Nigeria, Kenya are tackling currency instability

    The threat of recession in Nigeria and weaker growth in Kenya may have prompted both countries’ policy makers to keep interest rates unchanged despite pressure on their currencies.

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) kept its policy rate at a record 13 per cent last month; its Kenyan counterpart left its benchmark rate at 11.5 per cent, matching the forecasts of most economists surveyed by Bloomberg.

    Nigeria and Kenya are among the African nations that have tightened their monetary policies since last year to bolster their currencies, bucking a global trend of lower interest rates. A plunge in commodity prices and weaker global demand, particularly from China, is putting the brakes on Africa’s growth, giving policy makers reason to pause.

    Kenya’s rate decision “has the impact of stabilising the market and does not curtail expansion of the economy because banks will not punish borrowers,” Fred Moturi, head of Fixed Income Trading at Sterling Capital Ltd., told Bloomberg. “It also shows that the need for growth won over the need to stabilise the currency.”

    Kenya’s shilling has weakened 14 per cent against the dollar, prompting the CBN to raise borrowing costs by 300 basis points since June. Economic growth has come under pressure, following a collapse in tourism and lower tea output, the nation’s biggest foreign-currency earners.

    CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele turned to foreign-exchange controls this year to stabilise the naira after the currency fell by almost 10 per cent against the dollar in the first two months of the year. The economy of Africa’s biggest oil producer is struggling after crude prices more than halved since June last year.

    Emefiele said the economy may recede next year if “proactive steps” aren’t taken to support key industries. TheGross Domestic Product (GDP) rose at the slowest pace in at least five years in the second quarter, expanding 2.4 per cent from a year earlier.

    The governor’s signalling of a recession is “a clear indication that the growth story has got to be a big focus going forward,” Manji Cheto, vice president of Teneo Intelligence in London, said.

    Emefiele has resisted pressure to devalue the naira, a policy stance that has undermined confidence in the Central Bank and may add to growth concerns as foreign-currency restrictions curb liquidity.

    “The strategy seems to be to keep controls in place until demand adjusts to meet available foreign-exchange supply,” Razia Khan, head of Africa economic research at Standard Chartered Plc in London, said in an e-mailed note to clients.

    “This is a contractionary growth stance. Demand for foreign exchange will only fall to the extent that the economy slows sufficiently.”

    The CBN kept borrowing costs unchanged even as inflation accelerated to 9.3 per cent in August, exceeding the Central bank’s six per cent to nine per cent target band for a third month. In Kenya, inflation eased to 5.8 per cent in August, bringing it closer to the middle of the central bank’s goal of 2.5 per cent to 7.5 per cent.

     

  • Nigeria, Kenya battle currency risks, recession threat

    Nigeria, Kenya battle currency risks, recession threat

    The threat of recession in Nigeria and weaker growth in Kenya prompted policy makers in the two countries to keep interest rates unchanged despite pressure on their currencies to weaken.

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) kept its policy rate at a record 13 per cent last Tuesday, while the Central Bank of Kenya left its benchmark rate at 11.5 per cent, matching the forecasts of most of the economists surveyed by Bloomberg.

    Nigeria and Kenya are among African nations that have tightened monetary policy since last year to bolster their currencies, bucking a global trend of lower interest rates. A plunge in commodity prices and weaker global demand, particularly from China, are putting the brakes on Africa’s growth boom, giving policy makers on the continent reason to pause.

    Kenya’s rate decision “has the impact of stabilising the market and does not curtail expansion of the economy because banks will not punish borrowers,” Fred Moturi, head of fixed income trading at Sterling Capital Ltd., told Bloomberg. “It also shows that the need for growth won over the need to stabilise the currency.”

    Kenya’s shilling has weakened 14 per cent against the dollar this year, prompting the central bank to raise borrowing costs by 300 basis points since June. Economic growth has come under pressure following a collapse in tourism and lower tea output, the nation’s biggest foreign-currency earners.

    CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele has turned to foreign-exchange controls this year to stabilise the naira after the currency fell almost 10 percent against the dollar in the first two months of the year. The economy of Africa’s biggest oil producer is struggling after crude prices more than halved since June last year.

    Emefiele said that the economy is at risk of falling into recession next year if “proactive steps” are not taken to support key industries. Gross domestic product rose at the slowest pace in at least five years in the second quarter, expanding 2.4 percent from a year earlier.

    The governor’s signaling of a recession is “a clear indication that the growth story has got to be a big focus going forward,” Manji Cheto, vice president of Teneo Intelligence in London, said by phone.

    Emefiele has resisted pressure to devalue the naira, a policy stance that has undermined confidence in the central bank and may add to growth concerns as foreign-currency restrictions curb liquidity.

    “The strategy seems to keep controls in place until demand adjusts to meet available foreign-exchange supply,” Razia Khan, head of Africa economic research at Standard Chartered Plc in London, said in an e-mailed note to clients.

  • Kenya plans offensive against Islamist militants

    Kenya plans offensive against Islamist militants

    Kenya planned to launch a military offensive against Islamist militants who have set up bases in a remote forest at the northern tip of its Indian Ocean coastline bordering Somalia, a police official said on Monday.

    Frederick Ndambuki, commissioner of Kenya’s Lamu County said Somalia’s al Shabaab group had carried out attacks along its northern coast before retreating to hideouts in Boni forest.

    “We want to ensure the forest is safe and that no criminals are using it as a hideout to plan evil against our people,” Ndambuki said.

    Al Shabaab, which has lost territory inside Somalia following offensives by African Union troops, has claimed responsibility for a spate of attacks in the area.

    The group claimed it was meant to pressure Nairobi to pull its contingent in the mission out of Somalia.

    Police and military officials said the insurgents have permanent bases deep in Boni forest, where they live with their families and hunt game for food while using water from rivers flowing through the reserve.

    Al Shabaab was behind the assault on Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall in 2013, in which 67 people were killed.

    They have also carried out attacks that killed about 100 people in Lamu County in 2014.

    Kenya has beefed up security in Lamu county and Lamu town, a popular tourist destination where visitor numbers have dwindled over the past year.

    Local businesses say a dusk-to-dawn curfew has further hurt their struggling trade.

  • If Kenya and Jamaica can, why can’t Nigeria?

    SIR: The 2015 World Athletics Championship in Beijing, China, left little to write home about as regards the performance of Nigerian athletes. An African country, Kenya, topped the medals table, followed by Jamaica, leading great countries like Britain and USA. The outstanding performance of Kenyan and Jamaican athletes in the male and female categories 100m, 200m and relay can best be described as spectacular and outstanding.

    The abysmal performance of Nigeria athletes is a pointer to the fact that a lot is still wrong with us and we are yet to learn anything from the mistakes of the past. Rather than do things right by mapping out strategies that would effectively identify the abundant talents that are abound across the country, sports administrators have turned Nigeria’s participation at international athletics championships to a mere avenue to gallivant and lavish the resources of this country abroad. It is a shame that a country which prides itself on being the “giant of Africa” would always attend international sports engagements just to complete the numbers.

    The need for us to learn from Kenya and Jamaica and focus more on our areas of strength is inevitable at this moment. It’s not as if Jamaica does not have athletes competing in other athletic sports, but the fact that they are fully aware of their potential to consistently rule the world in the 100m, 200m and relay in the men and women categories has made them to channel most of their resources in this area. Kenya which has always taken a leadership role in Africa in athletics and has consistently made us all proud had always focused on the 400m, 1600m and cross country races, being their areas of strength.

    If the revelations of the yearly outcome of the Obudu mountain race is anything to go by, the fact that indigenes and inhabitants of Plateau State always give the visiting East Africans a good run for their money is a pointer to the fact that we will do well in the cross country race if the right people are selected and funds meant for training and preparation of athletes gets to them and on time. Nigeria is blessed with agile youths from the country’s Niger Delta region that swim and virtually live in water as a hobby. If these youth are carefully selected and given the adequate technical training, they could surpass the records of Michael Phelps of the United States of America.

    It is no longer news that some of the athletes who usually represent countries like Great Britain and U.S.A bear Nigerian names. It is also true that our athletes are being poached to change their nationality to other countries as a result of the poor conditions and failure of Nigeria to do the needful in ensuring that the welfare and re-training of athletes becomes a top priority. The success and consistency of the Kenyan and Jamaican athletes are what the National Sports Commission and the relevant unit that is in charge of selection, training/re-training and the general welfare of Nigeria athletes should crave in order to put an end to these consistent failures at international athletics championships.

    • Hussain Obaro, Ilorin,

    Kwara State.

  • Inside Jonathan’s Kenya holiday camp

    Inside Jonathan’s Kenya holiday camp


    Ex-president Goodluck Jonathan and his family are reported to be on holiday at the Massai Mara Games Reserve, Kenya. Here is a glimpse of the reserve which is described as one of Africa’s Greatest Wildlife Reserves