Signing Kenya’s new constitution

The signing ceremony for Kenya’s new constitution is set for Friday 27 August with great pomp and ceremony in Uhuru Park in central Nairobi. The country’s president, Mwai Kibaki, will officially sign the document into law in the presence of...

Kenyans back new constitution

Kenyans voted by 6,016,550 votes to 2,712,952, or 68.9 per cent to 31.1 per cent, in favour of the new constitution in the 4 August referendum according to official results from 206 out of 210 constituencies, the interim independent electoral...

Polling peaceful in Kenya referendum

Vote counting is underway at polling stations across Kenya following the referendum on the new draft constitution, which surveys suggest will be approved. Despite reports of tension in the run-up to the poll particularly in the volatile Rift Valley province, the...

Kenya prepares to vote on new constitution

On 4 August Kenyans are called to take part in a referendum on a proposed new constitution that has divided politicians and the country. 12.4 million Kenyans out of a total population of around 40 million are eligible to vote...

2010 African Athletics Championships in Nairobi

The 17th edition of the African senior athletics championships takes place from 28 July-1 August at Nyayo national stadium in Nairobi. Over 1,500 athletes and officials from across the continent are expected at the biennial competition, which is organised by...

Kenya MPs desert parliament over pay rise

Parliamentary activity ground to a halt on 14 July after MPs failed to show up for business in support of their demand for a controversial pay rise that is opposed by most ordinary Kenyans, the Daily Nation newspaper reports. They...

US in Kenya constitution controversy

United States ambassador to Kenya Michael Ranneberger has come under fire from opponents of the new draft constitution for allegedly taking sides in favour of the “yes” vote in the referendum on 4 August. On 12 July higher education minister...

British passport application changes in Nairobi

The British High Commission in Nairobi has announced that after 31 July all British passport applications will no longer be processed in Nairobi but in Pretoria, South Africa. Details about the procedure are posted on the High Commission website www.ukinkenya.fco.gov.uk...

Africa internet disrupted by Seacom fault

High-speed internet services in parts of east and southern Africa have been disrupted due to a fault in the new Seacom underwater fibre-optic cable. The exact cause of the problem is still being investigated, but the private Mauritius-based telecommunications company...

Oppostion grows to pay rise for Kenyan MPs

Kenya’s prime minister Raila Odinga, who was hospitalised for several days at the end of June, has criticised the pay rise the country’s parliamentarians voted for themselves on 2 July. Odinga’s opposition to the proposed rise follows protests from the...