Author: Abdihakim Siyad

Kenyan President William Ruto has intensified his administration’s war on drug and alcohol abuse, convening a high-level multi-agency meeting to accelerate a nationwide response just days after declaring the crisis a national development and security emergency. Earlier this month, President Ruto framed drug and alcohol abuse as an existential threat to Kenya’s future, warning that it risks wiping out the country’s “most productive generation.” His remarks were backed by alarming statistics, an estimated five million Kenyans aged between 15 and 65 are currently abusing alcohol or narcotics, meaning one in six citizens in this age bracket is affected. Among young adults…

The commemoration of Raila Odinga’s 81st birthday was more than a memorial it was a national reflection on a man whose life shaped Kenya’s modern political landscape. A Life Defined by Struggle Raila Odinga, economist, detainee, reformist, pan-Africanist spent decades at the center of Kenya’s journey toward democracy. Not only that He;  Built coalitions Forged political reconciliation President William Ruto once his fiercest rival called him: “A political colossus, a patriot whose life was defined by courage and sacrifice.”Few leaders receive such bipartisan recognition. His Final Journey Raila passed away on October 15, 2025, aged 80, while receiving treatment in India. He was laid to…

On January 7th Kenya marked what would have been the 81st birthday of the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga the country’s most enduring symbol of democratic struggle with tributes pouring in from across the political divide. It was the first birthday commemorated after his passing on October 15, 2025, following a cardiac arrest while receiving treatment in Kerala, India. As supporters across the country shared memories under the hashtag #Baba80plus1, Raila’s widow Mama Ida Odinga hosted a commemorative event in Nairobi one that was as political as it was emotional. Her core message was simple yet profound: “Sit down and talk.”…

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar arrived in Hargeisa on Tuesday morning for talks with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro, where both sides pledged to strengthen ties and finalize multi-sector cooperation agreements. Somaliland also revealed that Israel expressed readiness to support its long-standing bid for international recognition a major symbolic breakthrough for a territory that has sought statehood since 1991 but remains internationally recognized as part of Somalia. Somalia reacted immediately and forcefully. In a strongly worded press statement, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the visit as an “unauthorized incursion,” describing it as a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity,…

A growing political storm has erupted after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua appeared to link Somali-owned businesses to alleged financial crimes in the United States,  remarks that North Eastern MPs say risk fueling division, mistrust, and hostility toward an entire community.  Led by Dadaab MP Hon. Farah maalim alongside Hon. Mohamed Abdikeir,  Major Bashir Abdullahi and Hon. Yusuf Hassan, the legislators delivered a strong rebuttal at the Parliament Media Centre, warning that reckless political rhetoric is reopening painful wounds around discrimination and ethnic profiling in Kenya.   The Heart of the Dispute: Security Narrative vs Community Identity  The MPs accused Gachagua of carelessly…

UAE Aligns Publicly With Somalia’s Unity For the first time, the United Arab Emirates has openly opposed Somaliland’s controversial recognition claims, declaring full respect for the sovereignty and territorial unity of the Federal Republic of Somalia. In a rare and carefully worded statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that Abu Dhabi “respects the independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Somalia.” The announcement came shortly after a joint communiqué released by the African Union and the UAE a move widely interpreted as a turning point of Abu Dhabi’s regional diplomacy. This development marks a significant turn in the Horn of…

The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 in Morocco continued to deliver gripping knockout-stage drama as Egypt and Nigeria sealed their places in the quarter-finals. With incredible performances, crucial goals, and moments of individual brilliance, both sides showed the pedigree expected of African football giants as the tournament moves deeper into the business end. Egypt Hold Nerve to Advance Egypt booked their spot in the last eight after a composed and well-managed victory in the Round of 16. The Pharaohs relied on their experience and tactical maturity, controlling long spells of possession while keeping their defensive structure tight. A decisive goal…

Venezuelan former President Nicolás Maduro appeared in a U.S. federal court in Manhattan, where he firmly pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism and cocaine trafficking charges. During the arraignment, Maduro responded to the judge by saying, “I am innocent. I am a decent man. I am not guilty. I am the President of Venezuela.” He went on to describe himself as a “prisoner of war”, claiming he had been captured from his home in Caracas before being brought to the United States. His wife, Cilia Flores, also pleaded not guilty to related drug-trafficking charges during the same hearing. The former Venezuelan leader…

Mogadishu -Somalia  President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has delivered a strongly-worded address to the Federal Government Cabinet, calling for unity, political discipline and collective responsibility as Somalia continues navigating heightened regional and diplomatic tensions. Chairing the cabinet meeting alongside Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, the President dedicated much of his briefing to three key themes which includes,national unity, the future of elections in Somalia, and the ongoing dispute with Israel. President Hassan Sheikh stressed that strengthening unity within government and across Somali society must remain a top priority. He warned ministers against engaging in public disagreements, particularly on social media…

Wajir Governor and Chairman of the Council of Governors, Ahmed Abdullahi, has strongly condemned former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over recent remarks targeting Somali business owners in Kenya. The Governor accused Gachagua of fueling what he described as Somaliphobia and spreading defamatory claims against respected entrepreneurs in the country. Governor Defends Somali Business Community and BBS Mall Investors In a sharply-worded statement, Governor Abdullahi said Gachagua had “taken Somaliphobia to an unacceptable level,” adding that his comments unfairly portrayed Somali business owners as beneficiaries of misused disability funds from Minnesota in the United States. He insisted that the U.S. government…