Author: KahawaTungu Reporter

US stock markets tumbled over concerns that President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China will lead to a wider trade war and hurt the economy. The S&P 500 index, which tracks 500 of the biggest companies in the US, fell for a second day, ending at its lowest level since November when Trump won the election. The president has followed through on a threat to impose 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, and a 20% levy on China. The move drew swift retaliation, including from Canada, where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned Trump his decision to…

US President Donald Trump said he would cut funding for universities that allow what he called “illegal” protests and prosecute and deport foreign students who participate. On his Truth Social social media platform, Trump said that “all federal funding will STOP” for schools that permit students to protest illegally. Trump’s announcement comes less than a year after massive student protests against Israel’s war in Gaza swept across US college campuses, including Columbia University in New York and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). American students will be expelled, Trump said. Trump did not specify what would constitute an “illegal”…

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) says there are violations and abuses on civilians by police officers in the recently launched security operation dubbed ‘Ondoa Jangili’ in Isiolo and Marsabit Counties. KNHCR Vice Chairperson Dr. Raymond Nyeris flagged the security operations citing numerous violations of the law such as killings, abductions, enforced disappearances, violence towards the elderly, intimidation and illegal confiscation of personal property. “While we appreciate the importance of the operation, the KNCHR expresses its deep concern and condemnation regarding the alarming human rights violations reported since the onset of the Operation that according to the Police…

President Donald Trump’s decision to pause all US aid to Ukraine is a bitter blow – not just for Kyiv but also European allies who have been lobbying the US administration to continue its support. This is not the first time that the US has withheld military aid. Republicans in Congress blocked then-President Joe Biden’s largest tranche of military assistance for Ukraine in the summer of 2023. Then, Ukraine just about managed to eke out its existing stocks of ammunition with the help of Europe. Congress finally approved the £60bn aid package in the spring of 2024. It was just…

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) and the Union of Kenya Civil Servants (UKCS) want a total overhaul of the Social Health Authority (SHA). They said patients are suffering while seeking medical care in facilities across the country. On Tuesday, the two unions also issued a two-week ultimatum, threatening nationwide protests by civil servants from both county and national governments if their concerns are not addressed. Led by KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atela and UKCS Secretary General Tom Odege, the unions criticized SHA’s inefficiency and accused the government of failing to follow through on its promises regarding…

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels launching an offensive in east Congo abducted at least 130 sick and wounded men from two hospitals in the city of Goma last week, the United Nations said on Monday. M23 fighters raided CBCA Ndosho Hospital and Heal Africa Hospital during the night of February 28, taking 116 and 15 patients respectively, U.N. Human Rights Office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said in a statement. The abducted men were suspected of being Democratic Republic of Congo soldiers or members of a pro-government militia known as Wazalendo. “It is deeply distressing that M23 is snatching patients from hospital beds in…

Carl Dean, the longtime husband of country music icon Dolly Parton, died Monday at the age of 82. Dean, who was famously private throughout his nearly 60-year marriage to Parton, died in Nashville, Tennessee, according to a statement she posted on social media. “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy,” the statement read. The “9-5” singer met Dean outside a laundromat on the first day she arrived in Nashville as an 18-year-old aspiring singer. Parton recalled their first meeting,…

President Donald Trump has said he is moving forward with 25% tariffs on goods imported from Canada and Mexico into the US, adding that time had run out to reach a deal. US stock markets sank in response to the measures, which he has threatened since earlier this year and said would now go into effect on Tuesday. An additional 10% tariff on Chinese imports is also expected to come into force, leaving all three of America’s top three trade partners facing significantly higher trade barriers than just a few weeks ago. “No room left for Mexico or for Canada,”…

At least five female artisanal miners died in a tragic accident at the Lumba gold mine in North Ramba, Rarieda sub-county, Siaya County. Police said the incident happened on Monday March 3 afternoon as a group ventured into a tunnel for the minerals. One woman was missing after the collapse and efforts to bring her to safety went to the night, police said. The incident comes a week after three artisanal miners lost their lives in a similar gold mine accident in Rera village, Gem Wagai sub-county, raising concerns over safety in local mining operations. The women, who were reportedly…

The Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Mohamed Amin, Monday urged the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) to reconsider its approach of dealing with unpaid electricity bills from government institutions. Amin said indiscriminate power outages could have disastrous consequences. He said some institutions offer critical services to the public in general that need caution before moving to disconnect power. Speaking before the Parliamentary Committee on Administration and Internal Security at County Hall, Amin emphasized the importance of dialogue over abrupt power outages, noting that some of the affected institutions provide critical services to Kenyans. “KPLC should reconsider switching off power…

King Charles met Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, under the shadow of inflammatory statements made about Canada by US President Donald Trump. Trump has repeatedly spoken of making the neighbouring country the 51st state of America. He has also vowed to impose new import taxes on Canada, which is one of his top trading partners. Speaking ahead of his meeting with the King at Sandringham, outgoing PM Trudeau said he would discuss issues of importance to Canadians, including “standing up for our sovereignty and our independence as a nation”. The King has also extended an invitation to Trump to visit…

US President Donald Trump’s administration is pausing its offensive cyber operations against Russia, officials say, as a diplomatic push continues to end the war in Ukraine. The reasoning for the instruction has not been publicly stated, and it is not clear how long the halt might last. The defence department has declined to comment. The directive reportedly came before Trump ended up in a televised row with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Friday. Since returning to office, Trump has markedly softened the American position towards Moscow in eagerness to reach a deal to end the war…

Pan-African Energy and Manufacturing Business conglomerate Amsons Group formally commenced the integration of local cement products manufacturer Bamburi Cementinto its corporate fold. The integration process through its Kenyan subsidiary and investment vehicle, Amsons Industries (K) Ltd, follows the recent closure of a transformative transaction in which Amsons Group placed a US $183 million bid and acquired more than 95% of the issued equity shares in Bamburi late last year. Amsons Group Managing Director Mr Edha Nahdi said the integration will be seamless and involve minimum operating and administrative disruptions. “From the onset, I want to assure Bamburi Cement stakeholders of…

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has interdicted two senior county officers over an illegal garbage dumping incident near Stima Plaza. Speaking before the Committee on Administration and Internal Security at County Hall, Sakaja condemned the act, stating that it violates the county’s policies and values. “Two officers have been interdicted over the illegal dumping of garbage because this is not what we stand for. On behalf of the staff, I apologize. That should not have happened,” Sakaja said. The officers are accused of ordering illegal dumping. Inspector General of the National Police Service, Douglas Kanja, confirmed that criminal investigations were launched…

Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) issued summons to Nairobi Chief Officer for Environment Geoffrey Mosiria for interrogation over the illegal dumping of waste at Kenya Power offices in Nairobi. DCI Director Amin Mohammed, appearing before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, stated that Mosiria, alongside other senior officials such as John Malawi (Director of Environment), Tiras Njoroge, Charles Kerich, Maurine Njeri, and Nahashon Muguna, has been invited to record statements regarding the incident. County officials, including William Kangongo (Head of Enforcement) Eva Wariuki (Chief Officer of Security and Compliance), James Sankale (Head of Debt Collection Unit),…