Aid Cuts Trigger Starvation Crisis Among Refugees in Kenya's Kakuma Camp

A proposed anti-gay law in Kenya has the potential to cost the country up to $7.8 billion annually, according to a report from the UK-based charity Open for Business. This figure highlights the economic implications of discrimination against LGBTQ individuals in East Africa, where Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda already endure losses totaling approximately $5 billion per year due to such discrimination. Currently, homosexuality is criminalized in Kenya under a colonial-era law, but enforcement is rare, allowing the country to maintain a degree of safety for LGBTQ individuals compared to other regional nations. However, stigma and discrimination remain pervasive, fueled by religious rhetoric and political populism. Proposed legislation, including a Family Protection Bill, seeks to impose severe penalties for gay relations, potentially hindering investments and foreign aid. Open for Business underscores that anti-LGBTQ laws deter economic growth and skepticism from investors. The report serves as a call to action for business leaders, civil societies, and government officials, arguing for a more inclusive approach that benefits all of East Africa's citizenry.

A BBC investigation has revealed TikTok is allegedly profiting from live-streamed sexual performances by underage girls, taking a staggering 70% cut from their earnings. The investigation highlighted cases in Kenya, where girls aged as young as 15 engage in suggestive dancing and advertise sexual services through the platform's Live feature. According to statements from a 17-year-old participant, who started at age 15, these girls often bypass age restrictions with the help of older friends. TikTok accounts with large followings reportedly act as digital pimps, facilitating these livestreams while evading content moderation efforts. A former moderator, known as Jo, criticized TikTok's insufficient guidelines for identifying sexual solicitation in livestreams, asserting that the platform benefits financially from such content. A lawsuit filed in Utah claims TikTok has been aware of the exploitation occurring through its Live feature but has ignored it due to high profitability. The UK watchdog has also initiated an investigation into TikTok's use of children's personal data, emphasizing concerns about the platform's practices regarding underage users.

Armed conflicts are escalating along the Tana River in eastern Kenya, driven by a struggle for dwindling resources such as land and water, according to local leaders. King Babisan I, a representative of the Wailwana community, has experienced the ramifications of climate change firsthand, stating, "I am in the middle of the climate crisis; it shapes all my actions." Frequent and severe flooding, coupled with prolonged drought, has devastated agricultural practices, leading to displacement and violence among communities. The violence intensified after young men from the nomadic Wardei group attempted to forcefully evict displaced Wailwana families from the land they occupy. Recent clashes have reportedly resulted in over 18 fatalities. Local conflict researcher Harrison Morowa noted that 80 percent of disputes in the region are resource-related, worsening due to extreme weather. Efforts towards peace include discussions between rival leaders, though tensions remain high, with villagers demanding government intervention for lasting solutions. Without sustainable land management and resource allocation, observers fear the cycle of conflict will continue to escalate.