Tag Archives: kenya

World News in Brief: Ukraine Strikes, Nigeria Hunger Crisis And Kenya Drought Deepen Global Humanitarian Concerns

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Escalating conflict in Ukraine, a worsening hunger crisis in Nigeria and severe drought conditions in Kenya are intensifying humanitarian challenges across several regions, according to recent updates from United Nations agencies.

Officials warn that civilians are facing growing threats from armed conflict, climate shocks and food insecurity, with millions in urgent need of assistance.

Civilians Killed In Ukraine Attacks

Recent Russian strikes in Ukraine have continued to cause civilian casualties and damage to homes and infrastructure.

According to the UN children’s agency UNICEF, attacks in the Odesa region on Wednesday killed a 17-year-old boy. The agency condemned the violence and urged an immediate halt to strikes targeting civilian areas and critical infrastructure.

UNICEF said such attacks place children at particular risk and disrupt essential services on which families depend.

Meanwhile, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that attacks on the southeastern city of Kryvyi Rih resumed on Thursday after earlier strikes the previous day.

Humanitarian teams have been working to assist residents affected by the bombardment.

“Teams delivered shelter materials to cover damaged homes and provided protection services to the affected residents,” OCHA said, noting that harsh winter conditions are worsening the humanitarian situation.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk earlier condemned ongoing attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which have disrupted electricity, heating and water supplies.

“Civilians are bearing the brunt of these attacks,” Türk said. “They can only be described as cruel. They must stop.”

Food Aid Shortfall Threatens Millions In Nigeria

In West Africa, the World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that more than one million people in northeast Nigeria could soon lose access to emergency food and nutrition assistance unless additional funding is secured within weeks.

Nigeria is already facing one of its most severe hunger crises in recent years. Aid agencies estimate that nearly 35 million people could face acute or severe food insecurity during the upcoming lean season.

Among those most at risk are approximately 15,000 residents in Borno State who could fall into catastrophic levels of hunger, just one step away from famine.

The crisis has been worsened by renewed violence in northern Nigeria, where armed conflict has destroyed crops, displaced families and disrupted local food systems.

“Now is not the time to stop food assistance,” said David Stevenson, WFP’s country director in Nigeria.

He warned that cutting aid would have “catastrophic humanitarian, security and economic consequences” for communities already struggling to survive.

The WFP is seeking $129 million to maintain its operations in northeastern Nigeria over the next six months.

Severe Drought Worsens Food Crisis In Kenya

Meanwhile, prolonged drought conditions in Kenya are increasing food insecurity for millions of people.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than two million people are currently affected following the October to December 2025 rainy season, which was among the driest on record.

The lack of rainfall has led to rising malnutrition levels, increased risks of disease outbreaks and disruptions to basic health services.

Ten counties in Kenya are currently experiencing drought conditions, including one classified at an “alarm” stage. An additional 13 counties in the country’s arid and semi-arid regions are also showing signs of drought stress.

The crisis is not limited to Kenya. Similar weather patterns are affecting neighbouring Somalia, Tanzania and Uganda, placing millions more people at risk.

To support response efforts, the WHO has supplied emergency medical kits, including cholera treatment supplies and pneumonia kits, while pre-positioning essential equipment in counties considered most vulnerable.

However, the agency warned that urgent action is needed to ensure communities and livestock have access to sufficient food and safe drinking water.

Without rapid intervention, humanitarian officials caution that the situation could deteriorate further, placing additional strain on already fragile health and food systems across the region.

UN rights office urges restraint in Kenya as fresh protests turn deadly

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Office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani cited Kenyan police reports of at least 11 deaths, 52 injured police officers, and 567 arrests. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reported slightly different figures: at least 10 fatalities, 29 injuries, 37 arrests, and two abductions.

Protests erupted in 16 counties, with police reportedly using live ammunition, rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons.

Ms. Shamdasani also noted reports of looting and destruction of public and private property in several locations.

Crisis escalation

This week’s violence follows the deaths of 15 protesters and hundreds of injuries during demonstrations on 25 June in Nairobi and elsewhere.

Those protests were initially triggered by the anniversary of last year’s anti-tax demonstrations, which left at least 60 deaths and dozens allegedly abducted by the police.

The protests on Monday marked the 35th anniversary of the 1990 Saba Saba protests, which paved the way to multi-party democracy in Kenya.

Call for accountability

Ms. Shamdasani said that UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, “repeats his call for all reported killings and other alleged violations and abuses of international human rights law, including with respect to use of force, to be promptly, thoroughly, independently and transparently investigated.”

She noted that Kenyan police announcement of an investigation into the 25 June incidents and added that the UN human rights office stands ready to support national authorities in their efforts, including on the investigations.

She stressed that under international law, law enforcement may only use lethal force when strictly necessary to protect life from an imminent threat.

High Commissioner Türk also renewed his call for calm, restraint, and full respect for the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.

“It is essential that legitimate grievances at the root of these protests are addressed,” Ms. Shamdasani said.

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UN calls for restraint after deadly Kenya protests

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At least 400 people were injured, including police officers, according to media reports. The official death toll has not been confirmed, with estimates ranging from eight to 16. 

The demonstrations marked the anniversary of last year’s anti-tax protests, when 60 people were reportedly killed and dozens abducted by police.

This year, anger intensified following the death of blogger Albert Ojwan, 31, who died in police custody earlier this month.

The demonstrators reportedly targeted government and police offices, chanted for the occupation of the presidential residence and attacked, looted and burned shops and businesses in Nairobi.

At a press conference, Kenyan Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen accused protestors of attempting to unconstitutionally enact “regime change.”

He also said nine police stations were attacked, dozens of vehicles destroyed, and five guns were stolen. 

UN Human Rights response

On Thursday, as smoke still rose from torched buildings in Nairobi, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, released a statement expressing concern.

Alarmed by reports that protesters had been wounded or killed by gunfire, OHCHR stressed that under international human rights law, law enforcement should only use lethal force when strictly necessary to protect life or prevent serious injury from an imminent threat.

The office welcomed the announcement that Kenya’s Independent Policing Oversight Authority will investigate the incidents and underlined the need for “prompt, thorough, independent and transparent investigations to bring those responsible to justice” and prevent recurrence. 

OHCHR also called for calm and restraint.

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric echoed these concerns at the daily press briefing in New York, saying: “We are obviously concerned about the violence we have seen in Kenya. We are closely monitoring the situation. We are very saddened by the loss of life.”

He also reiterated concerns over the reported gunshot wounds and welcomed plans for oversight investigations.

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Kenya: Refugees facing ‘lowest ever’ emergency food rations amid funding crisis

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Over the past five years, the refugee population in Kenya has surged by more than 70 per cent – from approximately 500,000 to 843,000 – driven largely by conflict and drought in neighbouring Sudan and Somalia. Of these, around 720,000 people are sheltering in the Dadaab and Kakuma camps, as well as the Kalobeyei settlement.

In Sudan, the civil war that erupted in April 2023 has killed over 18,000 people, displaced 13 million, and left 30.4 million in need of assistance, according to the UN.

WFP provides emergency food and nutrition support to 2.3 million Sudanese as violence and the collapse of essential infrastructure deepen the crisis. 

In Somalia, severe drought has placed 3.4 million people – including 1.7 million children – at risk of acute malnutrition.

At the weekend, Secretary-General António Guterres recommended that the Security Council ensure financing for the African Union’s Support and Stabilisation Mission there (UNSOM), as the country continues to battle insecurity and attacks from Al-Shabaab militants.

Shrinking rations, rising need 

Previously, a monthly WFP ration for a refugee in the camps included 8.1 kilogrammes of rice, 1.5 kg of lentils, 1.1 litres of oil, and cash for purchasing essentials. That support has now been halved, and cash payments have stopped entirely.

Without emergency funding, food rations could drop to just 28 per cent of their original level. WFP is appealing for $44 million to restore full food and cash assistance through August.

Cuts compound existing crises

Although cuts to foreign aid by many developed nations this year has further constrained operations, WFP began reducing services for Kenya’s refugee population in 2024.

Many of the families arriving are already food insecure, and Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rates among children and pregnant or breastfeeding women exceed 13 per cent – three percent above the emergency threshold. Targeted nutrition programmes ended in late 2024 due to lack of resources.

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India, Kenya to Renew Ties as President Kenyatta Visits New Delhi

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Welcoming Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta’s visit to India, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had visited Kenya 6 months ago, said common belief in democratic values, shared developmental priorities and the warm currents of the Indian Ocean bind both the countries.

“In our discussions today, President and I reviewed the full range of our relationship. During my visit to Kenya last year, we had identified deepening of economic cooperation as one of the key focus areas of our efforts. In this context, expansion of bilateral trade, greater flow of capital between two economies, and stronger developmental partnership are a priority,” said Mr. Modi welcoming the Kenyan President’s delegation to New Delhi on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, President Kenyatta led a strong and high level delegation to the eighth Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, where he was able to connect with the Indian businesses over investment opportunities in Kenya. “We want, and will encourage, industry and business in both countries to take lead in exploiting opportunities in healthcare, tourism, information technology, agriculture, blue economy and energy,” said Mr Modi.

Later on Wednesday, the Kenyan President met Indian President Pranab Mukherjee.

The Joint Business Council meeting today (Thursday) is likely to work out further commercial engagement through specific projects, cooperation on trade facilitation measures, including standardization and related areas. A Line of Credit Agreement of $100 million signed for agricultural mechanisation was signed on Wednesday, besides exploring a long term arrangement with Kenya for production and import of pulses.

“In the health sector, Bhabhatron machine has been delivered to the Kenyatta National Hospital for cancer treatment. Related capacity building of the Kenyan doctors is being undertaken under our India Africa Forum Summit initiative. Partnership in Education is creating new connections between our people. We have a strong relationship with the University of Nairobi, where a Chair for Indian Studies has been established by ICCR, and renovation of its library is also being undertaken with Indian assistance. On energy, we value Kenya’s support to the International Solar Alliance, and our joint efforts to harness the energy of the sun to power our economic growth,” said Mr Modi.