Opposition leaders have urged Kenya's President, Mwai Kibaki, to dissolve his government and call an election after the publication of a dossier implicating key ministers in corruption. The government, weakened after losing a referendum in November, faces a crisis after allegations by the former anti-corruption tsar John Githongo that the vice-president and three ministers plotted to siphon off public funds. He also alleges that Kibaki knew about the deals.

Kenya's opposition coalition has urged the president to dissolve his cabinet following new allegations of corruption against four senior ministers. A recent report by former anti-corruption chief John Githongo was published, saying the four had tried to block corruption investigations. Two of the four, who include the vice-president and the finance minister, publicly denied the charges.

A private company that provides wireless high-speed Internet access in Uganda's rural districts is raring to enter the Kenyan market. Bushnet Ltd has been offering Internet services to the country's rural areas, where it commands two-thirds of the market share, a senior manager said. "We are looking at 60 per cent reduction in the price Internet consumers are currently paying in Kenya," said Bushnet Kenya general manager. However, the company is awaiting a licence from the Communications Commission of Kenya, the industry regulator.

If you thought fixed lines had been ousted by mobile phones, think again. In Kenya, Flashcom, a locally owned telecommunications company, has added a sizzle to fixed-line services through wireless connection that supports value-added services offered by the cellphone. The need for cheaper, reliable and stable Internet connectivity has kept up the demand for fixed telephone lines. The success of the information technology sector hinges on the availability of a reliable telecommunication network, especially fixed lines.

Kisumu is on the threshold of another new beginning. Kenya's lakeside town has many things going for it lately. After celebrating its centennial a few years ago, it recently achieved another first after the United Nations declared it the world's first Millennium City. It was in 1901 that the building of the Kenya Uganda Railway was concluded at Winam Gulf aka Kavirondo Gulf, that the foundation of the town was laid.

Hunger appears to be a permanent condition in Kenya. Despite the conspicuous consumption among foreigners and Kenyans in Nairobi, millions of poor Kenyans live on less than Sh80 (1 US dollar) a day. Every year millions go hungry. Why then, when hunger constantly stalks the country, does each emergency come as a surprise that necessitates an urgent appeal to donors for food aid? This analysis by the Director of the United Nations Drylands Development Centre, and the principal author of the UN Millennium Project contends that there are many misconceptions about the causes of hunger, and politicians, donors and NGOs are often woefully ignorant about its underlying root.

The UN refugee body UNHCR signed an agreement with the governments of Kenya and Sudan to begin the voluntary repatriation of Sudanese refugees living in Kenya. But many southern Sudanese refugees say they are reluctant to return home until education, health, and other services can be provided in the southern part of Sudan, where infrastructures are limited or nonexistent due to 21 years of conflict. "Yes, it’s true, it’s going to take years before southern Sudan is going to reach the level of services that refugees have had in camps in neighboring countries," one refugee, Fakhouri, said. "But it’s going to happen much faster and in a more peaceful way if refugees themselves contribute by returning. The real builders will be returnees."

Elephants in Kenyan national parks and reserves are leaving their drought-stricken sanctuaries to search for water and food near human settlements, where they have attacked starving people trying to protect their crops. UN agencies have warned of hunger across the region because of drought and say the situation in eastern Kenya is particularly serious. People reportedly have died of hunger during what officials say is the country's worst drought in 22 years.

An alleged ex-convict known only as "Maranda" may have been responsible for the rape of five-year-old Peris Akoth at the beginning of this year, in Kenya. Then again, he may not. However, the case has already become a rallying point for anti-rape campaigners who claim that abuses such as the one visited on Peris would be less likely to occur if Kenya had adequate legislation on the books. While a person found guilty of rape may end up with life imprisonment, there is no minimum sentence for the crime -- something activists are intent on changing.

Kenya plans to position itself as one of the world's leading outsourcing hubs for companies in North America and Europe looking to cut costs in their business processes. In an interview, the country's Information and Technology Permanent Secretary revealed a strategy to set up outsourcing incubators at local universities that are hoped to create up to 30,000 jobs. The new enthusiasm to push the Kenyan economy to the digital age follows last week's approval of the long-awaited Information and Communications Technology (ICT) policy by President Kibaki's new Cabinet, at its second sitting.

President Kibaki has okayed a demand by the country's anti-corruption chief for Kieni Member of Parliament, Chris Murungaru to declare and account for his wealth. The sacked Transport Minister has further been summoned to appear before the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission on February 16 as it probes the mega-billion shilling Anglo Leasing scam, the biggest scandal in President Kibaki's tenure so far.

Cheap shoes from China have nearly crippled Kenya's shoe manufacturing industry. Shoemakers in the country blame the government for failing to protect local jobs. But as with most developing countries, the reality of free trade means juggling the arrival of more imports with the chance for more exports. Industrialised countries are putting pressure on African governments to drop import tariffs and open their markets to manufactured products from industrialised countries.

At least 800 million Kenyan Shillings was used by the Narc government to buy cars for Cabinet ministers in its first two years in power, a State-owned human rights watchdog says. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights says the money was also used to buy sleek cars for assistant ministers and permanent secretaries. Commission Chairman Maina Kiai, says the findings are contained in the organisation's yet-to-be-released report: "The Culture of Wastage and Conspicuous Consumption Portrayed by Senior Civil Servants and Politicians."

The rush to become Kenyan citizens is partly due to the fact that many refugees have stayed in the country for a long time and integrated into the Kenyan society. Official recognition of refugees and a chance to let them participate in economic activities as stipulated in the pending Refugees Bill would probably help in addressing the situation. That these people have a direct role in the stability and growth of the economy cannot be gainsaid, says this commentary.

Former Kenyan government minister Raila Odinga has told the police he believes his life is in danger. Mr Odinga, who was sacked last month, says he has received assassination threats and is constantly being pursued by men in unmarked vehicles. Mr Odinga is leader of the Orange Democratic Movement which campaigned against the constitutional proposals backed by President Mwai Kibaki.

Reports indicate that the Kenyan Government has reduced the cost of anti-retroviral drugs. A Cabinet meeting chaired by President Kibaki has approved the move to lower the cost of ARVs from KSh500 to KSh100 (just over a dollar) a month. By the end of last year about 60,000 Kenyans, out of a target of 95,000, had been put on free ARVs treatment in public hospitals, but the Cabinet said there were plans to increase the number.

Constitution of Kenya Review Commission are officially winding up business and each of its 27 members will take home between KSh2 million and KSh5 million as a send-off package. The Commission ceases to exist following expiry of the Act that led to its formation. Kenyan tax payers could end up forking out a minimum of KSh54 million to the commissioners.

At least 3,000 pupils failed to report back to school in Mandera District after reportedly crossing into Ethiopia and Somalia with their parents as the drought in the country rages. According to an official of the Kenya National Union of Teachers: "Most pupils will be forced to discontinue their classes as most pastoralist families continue to move with their stock out of the district.”

The Executive Director is responsible for all programmes and projects of the African Women's Development and Communication Network (FEMNET) including their conceptualization and implementation according to FEMNET's contractual obligations and internal policies and reporting on them. The Executive Director is responsible to the Board of Trustees and Executive Board and manages the human and financial resources at FEMNET's Regional Secretariat in Nairobi, Kenya.

The use of information and communication technology (ICT) is taking root in Kenya. Following the launch of e-Government Strategy Paper in early 2004, efforts to provide the public with Internet sevices and development of content is beginning to bear fruits. All over, ICTs are re-defining the world’s social, economical and the political landscapes.