Author: NLM Correspondent

By Edina Amponsah – Dacosta In February 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) said southern Africa was suffering the deadliest regional outbreak of cholera in at least a decade. At the epicentre of the disaster were Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, where cholera cases went up more than four-fold between 2022 and 2023. Over 1,600 deaths were reported in the three countries. Already, 2024 is threatening to be another devastating year for cholera in the region as warmer weather and unusually heavy rains, and storms, have fuelled the disease’s spread. Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi have reported more than 13,000 cases of…

The United States has imposed sanctions on 16 entities and individuals linked to a network that raises and launders funds for the al-Shabaab terrorist group. In a statement released on Monday, March 11, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said Faysal Yusuf Dini backs the terror group by way of financing its operations. According to OFAC, Yusuf, who works closely with Mohamed Jumale Ali Awale, also based in Kenya, uses Haleel Group and some of its leadership to coordinate investment projects and money laundering on behalf of Al-Shabaab. “This includes managing al-Shabaab funds laundered…

President William Ruto is under pressure to ensure that Kenya deploys police officers to Haiti, as violence intensifies. The United Nations (UN) and the US raised concerns over the delayed deployment of Kenyan police officers. On Sunday, March 10, Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated Kenya’s commitment to deploy police officers to Haiti but did not talk about the legal challenges that were raised by Kenyan courts. Blinken, in a statement, said he had spoken with Ruto on the ongoing political and security crisis in Haiti. “They underscored unwavering commitment to the deployment of a Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission…

President William Ruto has carried out fresh appointments and promotions in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) following recommendations from the Defence Council, chaired by Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Bare Duale. In a statement issued on Friday, March 8, Dr. Ruto promoted Major General Charles Muriu Kahariri to the rank of Lieutenant General appointing him to Vice Chief of the Defence Forces. Mr Kahariri is replacing Lieutenant General Jonah Maina Mwangi whose term ended after 42 years of service. The President also promoted and appointed Major General David Kimaiyo Tarus to the rank of Lieutenant General and appointed him the Commander…

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki says the government will transfer all police officers who have served in one station for more than three years. Speaking during a meeting held on Friday, March 8, the CS said the move, set to start today, will eliminate instances of conflict of interest, guard against internal sabotage, and enhance service delivery in the security sector. “I just wanted to communicate that all the officers from all the agencies who have served in one station for 3 years and above will be transferred starting this morning across Kenya,” CS Kindiki said. The Interior CS further…

The Tuesday morning tragic crash of an aircraft at Wilson Airport, claiming the lives of a trainee pilot and their instructor brings to light serious revelations, including weak safety protocols and training practices at the school. The Cessna 172M, owned by Ninety Nines Flying School and registered as 172-65726, had previously been involved in two incidents that drew the attention of the Ministry of Transport’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Department. These incidents, occurring before Tuesday’s tragedy, calls for urgent need for enhanced training for student pilots to effectively handle emergencies. According to reports from the investigation department, the first incident took…

The Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), which is set to be launched on Friday, March 7, marks a significant milestone in achieving universal healthcare coverage in Kenya. The government requires all workers including those in the informal sector to pay for the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), a new social health authority set to phase out National Health Insurance Fund. SHIF, to be launched on Friday, March 7, aims at benefiting ordinary citizens, and will involve a deduction of 2.75 percent from individuals’ income to finance it. Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha announced the commencement of its registration process after…

All licenses and permits for second-generation alcohol and alcoholic beverage distillers and manufacturers have been suspended pending fresh vetting to be carried out over the next 21 days. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki announced the comprehensive and far-reaching move to combat the threats posed by the trade, consumption and abuse of illicit substances, which have been blamed for deaths and ailments in various parts of the country, the most recent cases being reported in Kirinyaga where 11 people died after a drinking spree. Speaking on Wednesday, March 6, CS Kindiki said that effective immediately, all licenses and certification permits for…

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has asked President William Ruto to appoint a tribunal to investigate Justice Mohammed Noor Kullow with a view to removing him from his position as Judge of the Environment and Land Court. JSC, in a statement shared with media houses on Wednesday, March 6, said it had received five petitions for the removal of the judge from office. As a result, it set up a panel to interrogate the petitions and last month, the panel said three of the petitions had merit but the other two did not. Based on this, and its own findings,…

A recent publication by the World Health Organisation has highlighted a worrying trend in resistance to the HIV drug, dolutegravir, which has been a first-line regimen for adults and adolescents. The report reveals a rise in resistance levels, varying from 3.9 to 8.6 per cent, and soaring to 19.6 per cent among individuals who transitioned to dolutegravir-based ART with high viral loads. Dr Meg Doherty, the director of WHO’s Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, stressed the urgency for enhanced vigilance and improved HIV care delivery. “Standardised surveillance of HIV drug resistance is vital for preventing, monitoring and addressing these…