Invasive Mathenge Plant Displaces Communities in Kenya

Refugees in Kakuma, Kenya, are facing a severe food crisis as cuts to US aid have slashed food rations to their lowest levels on record, according to United Nations officials. Kakuma is home to approximately 300,000 refugees escaping conflict in surrounding regions. Reports from the Amusait Hospital reveal harrowing scenes of malnourished children receiving treatment for severe acute malnutrition, with some reliant on feeding tubes. Felix Okech, the World Food Programme's head of refugee operations in Kenya, stated that due to funding cuts, refugee rations have been reduced to just 30% of the minimum recommended dietary intake. The US, which previously provided around 70% of WFP's funding for operations in Kenya, implemented these cuts as part of a broader "America First" policy. Refugees like Agnes Awila, a Ugandan mother, express despair over food shortages, reporting that her children now eat only once a day. The cessation of cash transfers has further exacerbated the situation, leaving families unable to purchase essential food items. Unless funding improves, the WFP warns that the refugee population may face widespread starvation by August.

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.