Headline

Tight Security In Kenya Ahead Of New Protests

Published

2 years ago

August 8, 2024

Editor

Kenyan police patrolled the streets of the capital Nairobi on Thursday, roadblocks were set up on major arteries and many shops were shut ahead of planned new anti-government protests.

The East African nation has been rocked by weeks of sometimes deadly demonstrations mostly led by young Gen-Z Kenyans against President William Ruto’s two-year-old administration.

The nation’s acting police chief had warned on Wednesday that “criminals” intended to infiltrate the demonstrations and said people should not trespass on avoid “protected areas” such as the main international airport and State House, the president’s official residence.

In a post on X, the acting inspector general of police Gilbert Masengeli said “adequate security personnel” had been deployed, but advised the public to “take extra caution while in crowded areas that are likely to turn riotous”.

While the rallies — which began in June — have become smaller in recent weeks, posters shared online called for fresh demonstrations, dubbed “Nane Nane” or Eight Eight in Swahili, to signify the date, August 8.

In his statement Wednesday, Masengeli warned about “criminals planning to infiltrate tomorrow’s Nane Nane demonstrations and commit further crimes”.

Organisers of the protests have in the past accused “goons” of hijacking their plans for peaceful action and of stoking violence.

At least 60 people have been killed since the protests began. They started out as peaceful rallies against controversial proposed tax hikes but have ballooned into wider action against Ruto and what many see as profligate government spending and corruption.

Police have been accused of using excessive force, sometimes firing live bullets at protesters, while dozens of people have gone missing, according to rights groups.

Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura on Wednesday urged young Kenyans to “avoid unchecked protests, which could lead to further economic hardships and hinder their chances of gaining employment”.

Mwaura also claimed the spread of misinformation had contributed to the protests, telling people to “ignore these calls to violence”.

In a bid to tackle the worst crisis of his presidency, Ruto has taken a series of measures to address public anger including scrapping the tax hikes, revamping his entire cabinet and making deep budget cuts.

He has found himself caught between the demands of international lenders to shore up government finances to enable it to pay down its massive $78 billion debt, and ordinary Kenyans who are struggling with a cost-of-living crisis.

Headline

Indian Court Denies Bail To Nigerian Man Over Drug Charges

Published

4 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

A court in India has denied bail to a 44-year-old Nigerian national, Cristian Soporuchukwu, who is currently facing drug trafficking charges in the country.

Cristian Soporuchukwu initially entered India on a business visa but was later arrested over allegations of involvement in the sale of hard drugs.

Reports indicated that after arriving in India, Soporuchukwu travelled through Goa, Delhi, and Mumbai, where he allegedly established links with suspected drug traffickers.

He was accused of purchasing MDMA crystals and distributing them to college students and information technology workers.

According to reports, operatives of the Beguru Police arrested Cristian Soporuchukwu in April 2025 for allegedly selling MDMA crystals around Begur Lake and the AECS Layout Road area.

The New Indian Express reported that the High Court of Karnataka subsequently dismissed the Nigerian’s bail application.

“The anti-narcotics wing seized about 1 kg of MDMA crystals, a pocket weighing machine, 10 zip-lock covers, a mobile phone and a scooter from him,” the report stated.

Justice V. Srishananda, while ruling on the bail application, reportedly held that errors relating to the grounds of arrest could not automatically justify bail in serious narcotics-related offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, NDPS, Act.

The court further noted that Cristian Soporuchukwu had allegedly overstayed his visa in India, according to the report.

Headline

Strait Of Hormuz: US Announces Sanctions Against Iran

Published

5 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States Treasury has announced sanctions against Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority.

Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, said this in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement extended the threat of sanctions to anyone paying the fees, saying they may be providing support to and receiving services from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, and therefore may be exposed to sanctions risk.

“The Iranian military’s latest attempt to extort global maritime trade is proof that Economic Fury has left the regime desperate for cash.

“Treasury has deprived the Iranian regime of revenue for their weapons programs, terrorist proxies, and nuclear ambitions,” Bessent said.

Bessent added that the US has succeeded in disrupting tens of billions of dollars’ worth of revenue from being accessible to Tehran.

Headline

US Launches New Airstrikes On Iran

Published

5 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States has launched new airstrikes in southern Iran.

The strike shot down four one-way attack drones that posed a threat around the Strait of Hormuz and then a ground control site.

A US official revealed that American forces struck an Iranian ground control station in Bandar Abbas that was about to launch a fifth drone.

The official described the strikes as purely defensive, saying the US intended to maintain the ceasefire.

Report says this is the second time in three days that the US has carried out self-defense strikes against Iranian military targets in southern Iran.

Recall that on Monday the US carried out airstrikes against Iranian missile locations and boats that US Central Command said were preparing to launch mines in the Strait of Hormuz.